Will District Officials Face Scrutiny Over Ineligible BLO Appointments?
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Synopsis
The selection of ineligible booth-level officers in West Bengal raises serious questions. With nearly 4,500 contractual employees appointed without meeting the Election Commission's standards, district officials may soon be held accountable for their decisions. Stay tuned as we unfold the implications of these developments.
Key Takeaways
- 4,500 contractual employees appointed as BLOs.
- Violations of ECI criteria noted.
- District officials may face scrutiny.
- Reports requested from District Magistrates.
- Disciplinary actions possible for non-compliance.
Kolkata, Oct 4 (NationPress) The district electoral officials responsible for approving the appointment of West Bengal government employees as booth-level officers (BLOs)—even though they did not meet the selection criteria set forth by the Election Commission of India (ECI)—may now be required to explain their decisions to the commission.
According to information obtained from the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), approximately 4,500 contractual state employees have been assigned as BLOs for around 2,000 booths across specific districts, which breaches the selection criteria mandated by the ECI.
The ECI guidelines stipulate a uniform pattern for BLO appointments across all Indian states.
Initially, permanent state government employees in the Group-C category or above, along with teaching staff from state-run schools, should be prioritized for BLO appointments.
If there are not enough candidates from the Group-C permanent state employees and teachers, only then can contractual state employees be considered.
However, insiders from the CEO's office indicate that each appointment of contractual staff as BLOs must be justified at the district level, with necessary approvals from the CEO's office.
Initial findings reveal that the selection of these 4,500 contractual employees for 2,000 booths as BLOs was made without adequate justification or the required approvals.
As a result, district electoral officials who sanctioned these appointments may have to provide explanations to the commission regarding their decisions, as noted by sources within the CEO's office.
Should these officials fail to deliver satisfactory explanations for their actions, they may face disciplinary measures under current regulations.
The CEO's office has already instructed the District Magistrates, who also serve as District Election Officers for the districts associated with these 2,000 booths, to compile detailed reports on these irregularities.
Recently, West Bengal CEO Manoj Kumar Agarwal sent a letter to the State Education Department addressing the reluctance of some teaching staff in state schools to accept BLO duties, despite a clear directive from a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court.
The CEO's office has also warned of potential disciplinary actions against teachers who refuse to participate in BLO duties after a specified timeframe.
Point of View
The situation in West Bengal reflects a concerning trend regarding electoral integrity. Upholding the standards set by the Election Commission is crucial for maintaining trust in our democratic processes. Accountability is paramount, and officials must be held responsible for any lapses in following established guidelines.
NationPress
04/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the criteria for appointing booth-level officers?
According to the Election Commission of India, permanent state government employees in the Group-C category or above, as well as teaching staff in state-run schools, should be prioritized for BLO appointments.
How many contractual employees were appointed as BLOs?
Approximately 4,500 contractual state employees have been appointed as booth-level officers in West Bengal.
What actions may be taken against district officials?
District officials who approved these appointments may have to provide explanations to the Election Commission and could face disciplinary action if their justifications are deemed unsatisfactory.
