Archive · 19 Dec 2025
ECI seeks central forces in Bengal amid BLO school crisis
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked the Home Ministry to send special police forces to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in West Bengal.
This is because there was a big crowd of people, including some political workers, outside the office on November 24 and 25.
The ECI is worried about the safety of the officers and staff during an important election-related process called the Special Summary Revision (SIR).
Meanwhile, the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education has asked the ECI to allow some teachers, who are also working as BLOs, to return to schools.
This is because their absence is affecting the preparation for the class 10 board examinations scheduled for February.
The ECI is yet to make a decision on this.
The ECI requested the Union Home Ministry to deploy Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) at the Chief Electoral Officer's office in West Bengal due to a potential law and order risk during the Special Summary Revision (SIR).
The request follows a 'gherao' (surrounding) of the office by Booth Level Officers and political workers on November 24 and 25.
The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) urged the ECI to allow some teachers, who are also BLOs, to return to schools as their absence is affecting class 10 board examination preparations.
State Education Minister Bratya Basu expressed concern about the impact of teachers' absence on school education.
The ECI is yet to make a decision on the WBBSE's request, with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) stating that the decision lies with the EC.
- Who
- Election Commission of India (ECI), West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), Booth Level Officers (BLOs)
- What
- Request for deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and allowing some BLOs to return to schools
- When
- After the incident on November 24 and 25, and ongoing SIR exercise
- Where
- Chief Electoral Officer's office, West Bengal
- Why
- Due to a law and order situation, potential security risk during SIR, and impact on school education
- Event
- Gherao of Chief Electoral Officer's office
- Date
- November 24 and 25
- Parties Involved
- Booth Level Officers and political workers
- Request Made By
- Election Commission of India (ECI)
- Request To
- Union Home Ministry
- Reason
- Potential law and order risk during Special Summary Revision (SIR)
- Board Request
- Allow some BLOs to return to schools
- Board Concern
- Impact on class 10 board examinations
