Have BLOs Sparked Fresh Protests Outside CEO's Office Seeking EC Support for Deceased Colleagues' Families?
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Synopsis
BLOs in Kolkata are intensifying their protests outside the CEO's office, demanding financial aid for families of deceased BLOs and more time for the Special Intensive Revision exercise. With emotional appeals and confrontations with police, this situation highlights the pressures faced by election workers and the critical need for support from the Election Commission.
Key Takeaways
- BLOs demand financial aid for families of deceased colleagues.
- Protests highlight the pressure faced by election workers.
- Call for additional time for Special Intensive Revision tasks.
- Police presence escalated tensions during the protest.
- Emotional support from families of deceased BLOs.
Kolkata, Dec 4 (NationPress) A new wave of demonstrations by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) took place outside the office of West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) in Kolkata on Thursday.
The BLOs, rallying under the 'BLO Rights Protection Committee', called for financial support for the families of deceased BLOs and requested an extension for submitting enumeration forms as part of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) initiative in West Bengal.
Family members of the deceased BLOs joined the protest, lending an emotional weight to the event.
A procession was organized by the BLOs, but tensions escalated when police attempted to halt the march near the CEO's office. Reports suggest that the BLOs tried to breach police barricades to gain access to the office.
The protesters stated that they had previously sought additional time from the Chief Electoral Officer to finalize SIR-related tasks. They alleged that their repeated requests were ignored, although police managed to de-escalate the situation.
It is important to note that BLOs have been demonstrating in front of the CEO's office in central Kolkata for several days, voicing concerns over increased workloads due to the SIR exercise and what they deem to be unrealistic deadlines.
Led by the 'BLO Rights Protection Committee', the protests have seen ongoing participation from BLOs who express that they are under 'unbearable pressure'.
They emphasized that the seven-day extension provided is insufficient to complete their tasks accurately and thoroughly. They reiterated their primary demand for financial aid to assist the families of BLOs who have passed away while serving or during election duties.
Recently, the CEO's office experienced significant unrest due to confrontations sparked by the BLO protests coinciding with the visit of Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
During that incident, chants of 'go back' were directed at the opposition leader. Following this, Adhikari called for the CEO's office to be relocated to a more secure environment. He also requested the deployment of central forces to ensure the safety of the CEO’s office and to provide adequate protection to election officials and staff involved in election operations.
Point of View
It's crucial to shed light on the struggles faced by the Booth Level Officers in Kolkata. Their persistent protests highlight significant issues regarding their workload, deadlines, and the support they require. The demands for assistance for the families of deceased BLOs reflect the human aspect of electoral duties. As a nation, we must advocate for the rights and well-being of those who play a vital role in our democratic processes.
NationPress
04/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are BLOs protesting?
BLOs are protesting to demand financial assistance for the families of deceased colleagues and to request more time for completing enumeration forms related to the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
What is the BLO Rights Protection Committee?
The BLO Rights Protection Committee is a group advocating for the rights and welfare of Booth Level Officers, representing their concerns and demands during protests.
How have the police responded to the protests?
The police have intervened at times to prevent BLOs from breaching barricades and escalating tensions during the protests.
What are the main concerns of the BLOs?
BLOs are concerned about increased workloads due to the SIR exercise, unrealistic deadlines, and the lack of financial support for the families of those who have died in service.
What happened during Suvendu Adhikari's visit?
During Adhikari's visit, tensions rose as protesters shouted 'go back' at him, leading to calls for increased security for the CEO's office.
