Did the All-Party Meeting Address Booth Rearrangement Concerns in Bengal?
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Synopsis
An all-party meeting held at West Bengal's CEO office focused on election preparations, including booth rearrangements. While the Trinamool Congress voiced concerns, the absence of discussion on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls raised eyebrows. What will be the implications of these changes for voters?
Key Takeaways
- All-party meeting held at the West Bengal CEO's office.
- Focus on election preparations and booth rearrangements.
- Concerns raised by Trinamool Congress regarding increased booths.
- No discussion on Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Increase of approximately 14,000 booths expected.
Kolkata, Aug 29 (NationPress) An all-party meeting took place at the office of West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) on Friday, focusing on election preparations and the increase of booths in the state through a voter reshuffle.
Representatives from the ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition parties participated, clearly stating their positions on various matters.
However, discussions on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in West Bengal were notably absent.
Due to changes in voting patterns, approximately 14,000 additional booths will be established in West Bengal.
CEO Manoj Agarwal mentioned that political parties can file written grievances regarding the booth arrangements until September 8, after which complaints will be reviewed for action.
Previously, there were 80,681 booths. Following the rearrangement, this number has risen by 13,816, bringing the total to 94,497 booths.
Furthermore, the CEO will instruct the District Election Officers (DEOs) to conduct district-wise meetings to address any arising objections.
Despite the booth increase, the Trinamool Congress expressed concerns about this change.
State Minister Aroop Biswas and TMC MP Partha Bhowmik were present at the meeting.
"Previously, over 1,500 voters could vote at a booth. Now, under the new Election Commission guidelines, each booth will accommodate 1,200 voters, with additional booths for any exceeding number. We have no issue with the rearrangement, as long as the extra booths are located within the same polling station. Voters should not have to travel two kilometers to cast their votes," Biswas stated.
Commenting on the ongoing controversy surrounding the SIR of the voter list, the Minister remarked, "The Election Commission must act impartially. If the referee is biased, satisfaction among political parties is impossible. There seems to be an attempt to undermine voting rights. We are dissatisfied with this meeting and have voiced our opinions."
A senior TMC leader emphasized, "The meeting lacked any agenda regarding SIR. This topic was not addressed. Our position is clear: there should be no SIR in West Bengal. No one should gain advantages under its guise."
During the gathering, there were moments of contention between the BJP and Trinamool Congress concerning booth arrangements and other issues.
Post-meeting, BJP leader Shishir Bajoria stated, "The DEOs from 24 districts reported uniformity regarding booth layouts. They claimed no complaints were filed. How can this be? All DEOs should be held accountable."
He further alleged that the names of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were sourced from the Trinamool Congress office.
Congress representatives Ashutosh Chatterjee, Khwaja Ahmed, and Mrinal Naskar participated in the meeting, brandishing 'No Political SIR' posters and placards.
Following the meeting, Chatterjee stated, "This was an incomplete meeting. It's improbable that there are no complaints regarding booth arrangements from the districts. Some DEOs seem to operate under Trinamool's directives."
Additionally, Congress leaders brought up instances of violence and property damage by the BJP at the state Congress headquarters in Kolkata, demanding swift identification and arrest of the perpetrators.
Interestingly, prior to the meeting on Friday, Congress leaders displayed "No SIR" placards, which the BJP contested.
Point of View
It is crucial to present an unbiased overview of the recent all-party meeting in West Bengal. The discussions surrounding booth rearrangements and electoral roll revisions highlight the complexities and tensions between political parties. It is essential to ensure that all voices are heard while emphasizing the importance of fair and transparent electoral processes.
NationPress
30/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the main focus of the all-party meeting?
The primary focus was on election preparations and increasing the number of booths through voter reshuffle.
What was the Trinamool Congress's stance on the booth rearrangement?
The Trinamool Congress expressed concerns about the increase in booths and the implications for voters.
Were there any discussions on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls?
No, the meeting did not address the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
How many additional booths will be created in West Bengal?
Approximately 14,000 additional booths will be established in West Bengal.
What are the new guidelines regarding voter capacity at booths?
According to the new guidelines, each booth will accommodate 1,200 voters.
