1,000 BLOs show-caused for refusal amid electoral roll survey
The Statesman | 24 October 2025Sources in the CEO’s office confirmed that a significant number of government school teachers assigned as BLOs have either refused to accept their appointment letters or have formally sought exemption from the assigned duties.
In response, the CEO has directed these BLOs to submit written explanations justifying their refusal.
The notices, which were served over the past few days, require replies within 72 hours, failing which disciplinary action may be initiated. The move comes amid reports from several district magistrates and district election officers that a growing number of teachers are reluctant to take up BLO responsibilities an essential part of the electoral roll verification process.
The Election Commission of India (ECI), which is overseeing the pan-India rollout of the SIR exercise ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, had tasked state CEOs with ensuring smooth execution.
In West Bengal, BLO recruitment had already begun earlier this month. The mapping and uploading work related to voter lists is underway at high speed in all districts, with particular focus on comparing the latest rolls with the 2002 SIR data.
In August 2025, the Calcutta High Court had ruled that primary school teachers are not exempted from BLO duties, following a legal challenge by a section of educators.
The court, however, emphasised that BLO assignments must be scheduled in a way that does not disrupt classroom teaching. The controversy has further deepened as the election commission has summoned all state CEOs to Delhi for a two-day meeting today and tomorrow to review the status of the SIR and BLO-related concerns.
The CEO’s office in Bengal has already prepared an interim report for submission to the ECI, detailing the scale of the refusals and the status of compliance. While teacher unions have not issued an official statement yet, insiders suggest that growing workload concerns and unclear duty schedules have triggered unrest.
With over 1,000 BLOs now under scrutiny, and pressure mounting ahead of the 2026 elections, the standoff between the poll panel and school staff may have broader implications for electoral preparedness in the state.
