BLO training begins in Bengal; 80,861 officers to be readied before SIR

On Friday the commission gave a virtual demonstration of the BLO application to all designated officers, and physical training on the app, its login, technical features and the mechanics of enumeration forms, began on Saturday.

The rollout was not without unrest. During a training session at Nazrul Mancha in south Kolkata, several teachers who have been appointed as BLOs protested on stage, saying their school duties leave them little time for the door-to-door work required by SIR. “We are not only teaching in schools any more. We have many more duties. After that, how is it possible to visit every household and distribute enumeration forms?” said a senior teacher.

The teachers also protested the decision of school authorities to mark them as absent in attendance registers during the training period, insisting that their participation in the BLO assignment be officially recorded as “on duty.”

In addition, a large section of BLOs has demanded central security cover for both training and fieldwork, warning that they will abstain from duty unless safety measures are strengthened. “The Election Commission has not confirmed enough security for us. How can we take this risk?” one protester asked.

Election officials said they are coordinating security arrangements with the state police and the nodal officer, ADG Anand Kumar. “Security issues for BLOs are being regularly coordinated with the State Police Nodal Officer. We are optimistic the state administration will ensure adequate protection if needed,” a senior ECI official said.

EC teams also outlined logistical plans. Each BLO will receive a kit that includes identity cards and a cap. Officials said about 85 percent of the enumeration forms have been printed so far and that printing will be completed by November 2. Two enumeration forms will be printed for every voter listed in the 2025 rolls; two passport-size photographs must be attached and voters will return one signed copy to the BLO after verification.

A reserve list of about 14,000 additional BLOs has been kept on standby to cover future booth rationalisation or replacements, the ECI said. “After booth rationalisation, the total number of booths is likely to increase by roughly 14,000; that is why we have kept that many BLOs as substitutes,” a senior official explained. He added that a handful of BLOs have already been replaced because of alleged political affiliation, medical reasons, or transfers.

Top-level training for officials also took place on Friday. West Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal convened a session attended by 294 Electoral Registration Officers, more than 3,000 Assistant EROs, 24 District Election Officers (who are district magistrates) and ADMs. ECI Director General (IT) Seema Khanna joined the meeting virtually from Delhi. The training emphasised technical handling of the BLO app and the practicalities of enumeration.

Officials stressed that the BLO system includes safeguards: BLOs are local residents who will visit households, enter details on the app, and hand the voter a signed copy of the enumeration form as proof. The SIR process also allows voters to file claims and objections, and judicial remedies remain available for disputes, the ECI noted.

“The process requires accurate knowledge at all levels. If BLAs and BLOs are unclear about procedures, the entire exercise may be delayed. We are taking no risk and will ensure they are fully trained,” another senior election official said.