ECI’s new guideline on BLAs sparks political slugfest
The Statesman | 13 November 2025
The Election Commission of India’s (ECI) latest directive allowing flexibility in the appointment of booth level agents (BLAs) has triggered a sharp political debate in West Bengal, with the ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC) accusing the Commission of favouring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
According to the new guideline, if a political party faces difficulty in appointing a BLA from among voters registered in a particular booth, it may now nominate a voter from another booth within the same Assembly constituency as booth agent. Earlier, only a voter belonging to that specific booth could be appointed as its BLA. While the Election Commission of India has described the move as a practical measure aimed at easing administrative challenges, the TMC has denounced the decision as a “deliberate attempt” to help the BJP ahead of the forthcoming elections.
“This change is nothing but a conspiracy to influence the electoral process from within,” alleged Kunal Ghosh, TMC’s state general secretary.
“The BJP is struggling to find local agents in several areas, and now, by tweaking the rules, the election commission has opened the door for them to bring agents from other booths. The Commission is acting as a BJP facilitator. Trinamul Congress strongly condemns this and will raise its objection at every appropriate forum.” Party insiders claim that the move could enable the BJP to plant non-local agents in areas where it lacks an organisational base, undermining the spirit of grassroots-level electoral participation.
However, Leader of Opposition in Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari welcomed the Commission’s decision, arguing that the revised guideline would benefit all political parties. “The expansion of the eligibility criteria for BLA appointment will help every political outfit,” Adhikari said. “It will make it easier to identify infiltrators and deceased voters, ensuring cleaner and more transparent electoral rolls.”
Political observers say the issue has once again exposed the deep mistrust between the ruling party and the ECI in Bengal. The TMC’s sharp reaction reflects its growing suspicion that the Commission is acting under pressure from the BJP-led Centre, while the Opposition maintains that the reform promotes greater flexibility and fairness.