‘Undue load’, incomplete forms, no pic: BLO anger boils over collection hurdles
Times of India | 16 November 2025
Kolkata: SIR forms that had not been filled, non availability of elector's photographs and difficulties in uploading the data on BLO app were among multiple hurdles that BLOs faced as they went about collecting forms on Saturday.
Pouring out their anguish, BLOs across the state staged protests against the EC, alleging undue pressure.
Protests erupted at Dinabandhu Mancha in Siliguri and at the govt office in Tikiapara as BLOs expressed their grievances over the sudden imposition of digital data entry tasks. They rued that they have been given new responsibilities without adequate training. They alleged that the EC had been issuing instructions late at night, adding to their stress.
The officers argue that the rapid transition to digital data entry is unfeasible, particularly for BLOs who are not tech-savvy.
During a scheduled data entry training session in Siliguri, the BLOs walked out, chanting slogans and lying on the ground in protest. Similar scenes unfolded in Howrah, where 240 BLOs from Shibpur constituency voiced their objections during a training session. They argue that the dual burden of manual and digital data entry is untenable and that the constant influx of new instructions is exacerbating their workload.
The EC has not responded to these allegations.
The Vote Kormi and BLO Aikya Mancha submitted a memorandum to Bengal CEO Manoj Agarwal on Saturday regarding their problems, especially the server problem. They demanded that there should be an edit option if the BLOs make any wrong entry. They wanted the BLAs to be held liable if there was any entry of dead and fake voters.
The collection is taking more time as it involves checking and matching of data with the 2002 list and uploading of them on BLO app.
Dola Dutta, a BLO in Beleghata, said many have kept their forms incomplete.
BLO Sujata Adhikari said: "Most people are yet to fill the forms."
Gopinath Shaw submitted his form on Saturday in Bagbazar. "Though I had filled up the form in English, my 2002 details were written in Odia. The BLO had a tough time matching the details."