Kolkata BLOs Face Extended SIR Hearings Amid Lingering Uncertainty
Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Kolkata, who had been anticipating some respite after three months of relentless pressure, received disheartening news on Saturday evening. The Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls (SIR) hearing process is likely to be extended by an additional week, prolonging their ordeal. This announcement from the Chief Electoral Officer dashed hopes for immediate relief, leaving many BLOs in a state of continued uncertainty and fatigue.
Uncertainty Prevails as Tasks Remain Incomplete
Even prior to the official declaration, several BLOs harbored doubts about whether the process had genuinely concluded or if new responsibilities would be introduced. Many now believe the upcoming week will be critical, potentially requiring them to persist with verification duties until the final electoral roll is officially published. The extension underscores the complex and demanding nature of electoral preparation work in the city.
Voices from the Ground: BLOs Share Their Struggles
Sudipta Modok, a BLO from the Shyampukur area, highlighted ongoing commitments: "The job is not over as I am assigned SIR duties till February 14. This week is going to be more crucial, as work related to Forms 6, 7, and 8 is still underway. Moreover, some uploading processes are still pending, so it is not a relief at this moment. However, I am also concerned about the area where I was assigned, as people there trusted me during the entire process, and they should not suffer due to any mistake of mine."
Arup Mondal, assistant headmaster of Tirthapati Institution and a BLO in Tollygunge, expressed a desperate desire for the hearings to conclude: "I desperately want the SIR hearings to end as I am also assigned as a supervisor for the Higher Secondary examinations. I hope I will be able to concentrate on school work soon if no new task pertaining to the SIR is imposed on us again."
Dipa Dutta, a BLO from Burrabazar, noted partial relief but ongoing duties: "Though I will not have to accompany electors to the hearing centre from tomorrow, I cannot say that I am fully relieved from the SIR process, as uploading of documents is still continuing because several people missed the deadline."
Anxiety Over Final Lists and Changing Rules
Dola Datta, a BLO from Beliaghata, pointed out that anxiety would persist until the final SIR list is published: "I don't know when I will be able to breathe easy. I fret over the SIR future of voters in my area. If anyone's name is left out, I will be the first to face that person's ire."
A BLO in the Behala West constituency, who completed her last round of hearings on Tuesday, shared her mixed feelings: "I am now spending some time with my family while juggling school work, but I am still unsure whether more work will be assigned in the coming weeks. Rules keep changing every day. I know I am done with all my work as of now, but you never know if new work will be assigned to us in the coming weeks. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping this is the end, but you never know if we are going to receive another WhatsApp message or a call tomorrow with some new task."
The Broader Context: Electoral Integrity and Official Burden
This situation highlights the immense pressure faced by election officials in ensuring accurate voter lists, a cornerstone of democratic processes. The extended timeline reflects the meticulous attention required to handle forms, upload documents, and verify details, all while BLOs balance other professional and personal responsibilities. The community's trust in these officers adds an emotional layer to their technical duties, as any oversight could impact voter inclusion and public confidence.
As Kolkata navigates this critical phase of electoral preparation, the dedication and resilience of BLOs remain pivotal. Their experiences underscore the challenges of maintaining electoral integrity amid evolving guidelines and tight deadlines, with many hoping for a definitive conclusion to allow them to refocus on their primary roles and personal lives.
