Kolkata, Dec 3 (NationPress) A new controversy has emerged in West Bengal’s Barasat as locals discovered that a Booth Level Officer (BLO) was simultaneously registered as a voter in two different booths.

The BLO, named Manas Haldar, is designated to booth number 9 of Chhota Jagulia Panchayat under Barasat Block I, yet his name is also recorded in the rolls of another booth within the same Assembly segment.

This revelation has sparked unrest in the Bamanpara region of Chhota Jagulia Panchayat, where residents expressed their astonishment over this inconsistency.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has raised the matter with the local Block Development Officer (BDO) and has questioned the integrity of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in the state.

Manas Haldar, however, claimed that his name had been moved from one booth to another, although it still appeared on both lists for the moment.

BDO Rajiv Dutta Chowdhury confirmed that a complaint has been lodged. "A complaint has been received regarding this matter. We are investigating it," stated the BDO.

Numerous grievances have been reported concerning the actions of certain BLOs since the SIR process commenced in West Bengal. There have been prior allegations of enumeration forms being distributed haphazardly at roadside stalls or even from the residences of leaders from the ruling party.

Haldar, a Bamanpara local, is listed as a voter in booths 28 and 29 of the 119-Barasat Assembly constituency. In both instances, the father’s name is recorded as Sudhanshu Haldar, leaving no room for confusion.

BJP’s Barasat mandal president Swarup Saha remarked, "The individual tasked with identifying fraudulent voters has his name listed in two locations on the voter list. Manas Haldar is responsible as the BLO for that booth. This is a violation of commission regulations. We demand names be registered in the voter list with full transparency."

Amal Das, head of the Trinamool-led Chhota Jagulia Gram Panchayat, noted that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party general secretary Abhishek Banerjee have already called for an accurate and transparent voter list.

“If the name is listed in two places, the SIR will ensure it is retained where the permanent residence is located. It will be eliminated from the other site,” he added.