Kolkata: Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari has written to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging the arbitrary replacement of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Uttar Dinajpur district by the state government.
Adhikari claimed that these BLOs had recently undergone specialised training in Delhi, organised by the Election Commission of India (ECI), to enhance their skills in maintaining accurate and transparent electoral rolls. However, he alleged, their appointments were cancelled without reasonable cause or due process.
Adhikari alleged in his letter to the country’s top poll panel,”This seems like a deliberate interference with ECI’s initiatives for electoral reforms, potentially leading to irregularities in voter list management and compromising upcoming elections.”
West Bengal is expected to hold its Assembly elections for 294 seats in April–May 2026.
“The WB Govt has canceled their appointments without any reasonable cause or due process. This seems like a deliberate interference with ECI’s initiatives for electoral reforms, potentially leading to irregularities in voter list management and compromising upcoming elections,” Adhikari said to ECI chief Gyanesh Kumar.
Adhikari alleged that the state government action cancelling the BLOs appointments without any reasonable cause or due process.
“This seems like a deliberate interference with ECI’s initiatives for electoral reforms, potentially leading to irregularities in voter list management and compromising upcoming elections,” the Nandigram MLA said.
Adhikari urged the ECI to take immediate cognisance of the matter, seek detailed explanations from the District Election Officer (also the District Magistrate), Electoral Registration Officers, and Assistant EROs of Uttar Dinajpur as well as any other affected districts and, if the action is found to be arbitrary, initiate strict disciplinary measures against responsible officials.
According to Adikari these alleged arbitrary steps appear to have intensified after provocative speeches of Mamata Banerjee on July 28 last at an administrative meeting and rally in Bolpur, Birbhum district,
” She ( Mamata) had expressed displeasure over the ECI-organized BLO training in Delhi, claiming it was done without informing her or the Chief Secretary. She reminded officials they work for the State Govt.’ Suvendu Adhikari said.
