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The Election Commission on Tuesday notified the modification in the rules regarding the appointment of Booth Level Officials
The Commission said this change aims to ensure the smooth conduct of electoral roll revision. (Representative)
A political slugfest broke out between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) after the Election Commission of India (ECI) notified a change in the rules governing the appointment of Booth Level Officials (BLOs) amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters’ list in West Bengal.
What’s The New Rule?
The Election Commission on Tuesday notified the modification in the rules regarding the appointment of Booth Level Officials (representatives appointed by political parties to verify entries in electoral rolls) in a constituency.
According to a circular issued by the ECI, paragraph 3(iv) of its earlier instruction (No. 23/BLA/2023-ERS dated August 9, 2023) has been modified. The revised rule states that while a BLA should normally be a registered voter of the same part of the electoral roll for which they are appointed, in case of unavailability, a BLA can now be appointed from any registered elector within the same Assembly constituency.
The Commission said this change aims to ensure the smooth conduct of electoral roll revision, particularly in areas where political parties face difficulties in finding eligible agents at the booth level.
TMC Cries Foul Play
Meanwhile, the Mamata Banerjee-led party criticised the move, calling it a “cunning amendment” that allegedly benefits the BJP.
In a post on X, the party said, “ALARMING The ECI has quietly and cunningly amended the rules governing the appointment of Booth Level Agents (BLAs)… This raises serious questions. BLOs must belong to the same booth, but why the exception for BLAs? Because the BJP is failing to find agents locally and wants to import outsiders to rig the process from within.”
⚠️ ALARMING ⚠️@ECISVEEP has quietly and cunningly amended the rules governing the appointment of Booth Level Agents (BLAs).➡️ Earlier, as per the Commission’s 2023 guidelines: “The BLA must be a registered elector in the relevant part of the electoral roll for which he/she is… pic.twitter.com/fHWOb5zhPP
— All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) November 11, 2025
The TMC further claimed that the change reflects how the poll body “has been reduced to a servile extension of the ruling party”, accusing it of rewriting rules for the BJP’s political convenience.
TMC leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Kunal Ghosh also slammed the move and said, “The Election Commission has stepped in to help BJP and other opposition parties. BLAs are supposed to be from the same part or booth, but now they are allowing agents from outside areas. This could create confusion and complicate the process. If this circular is confirmed, it deserves protest.”
বিজেপিসহ বিরোধীদের সুবিধে করে দিতে নামল জাতীয় নির্বাচন কমিশন। BLA 2 সংশ্লিষ্ট পার্ট/বুথ থেকে হওয়ার কথা। ওদের লোক নেই। তাই অন্য এলাকা থেকে BLA 2 আনতে ছাড় দিচ্ছে। বাইরের অচেনা লোক ঢোকানোর ফলে জটিলতাও বাড়বে। এই সার্কুলার ঠিক হলে বিষয়টা প্রতিবাদযোগ্য। pic.twitter.com/9b5nLYvTiY— Kunal Ghosh (@KunalGhoshAgain) November 11, 2025
BJP Welcomes Move
On the other hand, the BJP welcomed the ECI’s decision, calling it a “progressive step.”
West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said that the move “enhances flexibility by allowing BLAs from the same Assembly Constituency in cases of unavailability, while ensuring rigorous scrutiny of electoral rolls to identify shifted or deceased voters.”
I welcome the Election Commission of India’s timely decision on modifications to the Booth Level Agent (BLA) appointment criteria. This progressive step, outlined in the ECI’s directive enhances flexibility by allowing BLAs from the same Assembly Constituency in cases of… pic.twitter.com/8XoRrm1aC7— Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) November 11, 2025
“This will undoubtedly strengthen the integrity of our electoral process, promote transparency, and empower political parties to contribute more effectively towards accurate voter lists. A big thumbs up to the ECI for listening to the ground realities and bolstering democracy,” he added.
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
November 11, 2025, 22:48 IST
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