Archive · 12 Nov 2025
TMC Accuses EC of Modifying BLA Rules to Aid BJP
A political party in India called the TMC is upset with the Election Commission (EC).
They say the EC changed a rule about who can help check voter lists.
Before, only people from a specific voting area could help.
Now, people from nearby voting areas in the same big district can help.
The TMC thinks this change was made just to help another party, the BJP, because they believe the BJP doesn't have enough people to help with checking the lists.
The TMC also thinks the EC might be favoring the BJP.
They are also worried about using old voter lists from 2002 for the check, even though the state's districts changed later.
They believe this could cause people to lose their right to vote unfairly.
The TMC has asked a higher court, the Supreme Court, to look into these issues.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused the Election Commission (EC) of altering rules for appointing Booth Level Agents (BLAs) during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to benefit the BJP.
The modified rule allows BLAs to be appointed from any neighboring booth within the same Assembly constituency, whereas previously they had to be from the specific booth.
TMC alleges the rule change was pre-decided and points to a BJP leader's swift reaction on social media as evidence of bias.
The TMC also plans to raise concerns in the Supreme Court about using the 2002 electoral roll as the base for the SIR in West Bengal, citing the 2009 delimitation.
The TMC argues that if voters do not fill out new enumeration forms, their names might be removed from the list, which they deem unconstitutional.
- Who
- Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Kalyan Bandyopadhyay, BJP, Election Commission (EC), TMC MPs Dola Sen and Derek O’Brien.
- What
- The TMC accused the Election Commission of amending rules for appointing Booth Level Agents (BLAs) during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to favor the BJP. They also questioned the use of the 2002 electoral roll as the base for the revision in West Bengal.
- When
- The rule modification was notified on November 11, and the TMC's accusations were made on Wednesday, November 12.
- Where
- West Bengal.
- Why
- The TMC alleges the rule changes were made to help the BJP, which they claim lacks ground-level workers, and to potentially unconstitutionally remove voters by requiring them to refile enumeration forms based on an outdated electoral roll.
TMC's Allegations Against EC and BJP
EC's Actions and BLA Role
Modification of Booth Level Agent Appointment Rules
TMC's Allegations Against EC and BJP
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) alleges that the Election Commission (EC) amended the rules for appointing Booth Level Agents (BLAs) during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to benefit the BJP, which the TMC claims lacks ground-level workers. The amended rule allows BLAs to be appointed from any neighboring booth within the same Assembly constituency, not just from the specific booth undergoing revision.
EC's Actions and BLA Role
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is an ongoing electoral process. The rule modification for BLA appointments allows for flexibility, ensuring that BLAs can be appointed from within the same Assembly constituency if an elector from the specific polling part is unavailable. BLAs are responsible for scrutinizing draft rolls.
Allegations of Bias and Pre-determination
TMC's Allegations Against EC and BJP
TMC MP Kalyan Bandyopadhyay claimed a nexus between the BJP and the EC, citing that BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari posted about the new BLA rule modification within minutes of its notification, suggesting pre-decision. The TMC accuses the EC of being biased and favoring the BJP.
EC's Actions and BLA Role
The provided article does not contain a direct response from the EC or BJP refuting these specific claims of bias or pre-determination. The article focuses on the TMC's perspective regarding the rule changes and the perceived benefit to the BJP.
Use of Base Year for Electoral Roll
TMC's Allegations Against EC and BJP
The TMC plans to raise in the Supreme Court the issue of using the 2002 electoral roll as the base for the SIR in West Bengal, arguing that the state underwent delimitation in 2009 and a new voter roll was introduced. They contend that using an older roll is unconstitutional and could lead to voters being removed if they do not fill out new enumeration forms.
EC's Actions and BLA Role
The article mentions that TMC MPs have filed petitions regarding the SIR, and the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the matter in two weeks. It does not provide further details on the EC's stance regarding the base year for the electoral roll in the context of delimitation.
- Revision Process
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Electoral Rolls in West Bengal.
- Allegation Source
- Trinamool Congress (TMC)
- Accused Party
- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
- Accused Authority
- Election Commission (EC)
- Rule Modification
- Booth Level Agent (BLA) can be appointed from any neighboring booth within the same Assembly constituency.
- Original BLA Rule
- BLA had to be from the same booth.
- Supreme Court Hearing
- Scheduled in two weeks regarding petitions filed by TMC MPs.
- Roll Base Year Issue
- TMC objects to using the 2002 roll due to 2009 delimitation in West Bengal.
Sources
SIR in Gujarat: Over 2.17 crore citizens mapped, 3.90 crore enumeration forms distributed
DMK, Allies Go All Out Against SIR
60% of 15.44 crore voters in UP provided with enumeration forms for SIR: CEO
SIR in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu: Supreme Court seeks Election Commission's response on pleas of DMK, TMC
SC Seeks EC’s Response on Pleas of DMK, TMC Challenging SIR Exercise in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal
States’ plea against SIR: EC entitled to protect privacy of voters’ list data, says Supreme Court
Supreme Court issues notice to Election Commission on nationwide voter list revision pleas - Telegraph India
SC issues notice on SIR petitions
SC seeks ECI’s reply on petitions challenging SIR in Bengal, other states
Are you worried your name will be removed during Bengal SIR? A guide on how to challenge exclusion
78% Voter Forms Distributed in Tamil Nadu: ECI
