Why Did a BLO Serve a Hearing Notice to His Own Wife?
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Synopsis
A Booth Level Officer in West Bengal's Hooghly district served a hearing notice to his wife due to a technical error in voter data. This unusual situation sheds light on the complexities involved in the electoral process and highlights the possible discrepancies that ordinary citizens may face.
Key Takeaways
- Booth Level Officers play a critical role in managing electoral processes.
- Administrative errors can lead to significant issues for ordinary citizens.
- Technical glitches in voter data need immediate attention.
- Understanding the electoral process is vital for citizens.
- Awareness of rights related to voter registration can empower the electorate.
Kolkata, Jan 15 (NationPress) In a surprising turn of events in East Burdwan district of West Bengal, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) from Hooghly district issued a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) hearing notice to his own wife on Thursday.
Rajshekhar Majumdar, who resides in Ward No. 1 of Tarakeshwar Municipality, serves as the BLO for booth number 248 within the Tarakeshwar Assembly constituency.
On Thursday, a hearing notice was directed at Rajshekhar's wife, Susmita Majumdar.
As part of his official duties, Rajshekhar personally delivered this notice.
Susmita’s father, Subrata Chatterjee, had a service record in the Indian Army, but his name was absent from the 2002 voter list.
Conversely, Susmita’s grandfather, Bhupendra Chatterjee, was included in the same voter list.
According to her grandfather's voter card details, Bhupendra Chatterjee held serial number 170 in booth number 104 of the 177 Jangipara Assembly constituency.
Due to the absence of her father's name in the voter list, Susmita opted to link her name with her grandfather’s on the SIR form.
However, she received a hearing notice claiming a mere 40-year age gap between her and her grandfather.
In contrast, the 2002 voter list indicates her grandfather was 81 years old at that time, passing away in 2010 at the age of 89.
Currently, Susmita is 37 years old, suggesting an expected age difference of 52 years rather than the claimed 40.
Rajshekhar commented on the situation, stating, “This error stems from a technical glitch. Ordinary citizens are enduring unnecessary harassment. I delivered the notice to my wife despite everything being accurate in her mapping.”
He added, “There is no fault on the BLOs' part; it is the Election Commission's negligence affecting ordinary people.”
Interestingly, on Wednesday, another BLO, Debshankar Chatterjee, a primary school teacher in Ketugram, also served a hearing notice to his wife.
A notice was issued in his name as well.
Debshankar mentioned that his father, Pulakendra Chatterjee, had the correct spelling in the 2002 voter list. However, due to a 'logical discrepancy', his surname was incorrectly listed this time, leading to a hearing notice.
Moreover, Debshankar's wife has roots in Majhergram, under Nakashipara police station in Nadia district, with her father's name being Anil Chatterjee.
Due to another 'logical discrepancy', the age difference between the father and daughter was stated as 50 years, prompting the Election Commission to issue a notice to Debshankar's wife as well.
Point of View
It's crucial to highlight that this incident reflects the challenges and technical glitches within the electoral system. While the roles of BLOs are vital in maintaining the integrity of voter data, the system must ensure that ordinary citizens are not unfairly penalized due to administrative errors. This incident underscores the need for greater accountability within the Election Commission.
NationPress
15/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Booth Level Officer (BLO)?
A Booth Level Officer (BLO) is responsible for managing electoral processes at the booth level, ensuring accurate voter registration and assisting with the electoral roll.
Why was the hearing notice issued?
The hearing notice was issued due to a 'logical discrepancy' in the voter data, particularly concerning age differences between Susmita Majumdar and her grandfather.
What is a Special Intensive Revision (SIR)?
A Special Intensive Revision (SIR) is a process conducted by the Election Commission to update and correct the electoral rolls.
How can discrepancies in voter data affect citizens?
Discrepancies in voter data can lead to unnecessary complications, including harassment and incorrect notifications, affecting the rights of citizens to vote.
What steps can be taken to rectify these issues?
To rectify such issues, citizens should report discrepancies to the election authorities promptly and demand accurate updates to the electoral rolls.
