Kolkata: Booth level officers (BLOs) across Bengal are up in arms over "undue pressure" from EC to certify the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. BLOs are now being asked to provide signed affirmations confirming that names in the current electoral roll perfectly match those in the SIR database, despite discrepancies.
On Sunday, a new option, "Upload BLO Letter", was added to the BLO App, with directions that they must upload a signed undertaking confirming correct mapping with the last SIR "only in cases of spelling difference between the last and current eRoll or name mismatch due to addition or omission of middle/last name".
A BLO in Shyampukur said, "Now we will not only have to upload documents but also certify electors with mapping errors. The onus is on us completely, and the pressure for SIR work keeps mounting day by day."
Sources familiar with the matter said BLOs are being compelled to vouch that there are "no mismatches" between two records. However, minor variations, such as omitted or added middle names, are common due to data entry errors or naming conventions, leading to inevitable differences that BLOs feel are being overlooked.