Bengal: EC warns BLOs against violating rules on form distribution; show-causes 8 for non-compliance
Kolkata (PTI): The Election Commission has show-caused eight Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in West Bengal for allegedly distributing enumerating forms for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) from tea stalls, local clubs and other places instead of visiting individual households, officials said.
The EC also issued a new set of directives to ensure strict adherence to procedures during the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in the state.
Officials at the state Chief Electoral Office here said the EC has expressed dissatisfaction over the lapses and directed all District Election Officers (DEOs) and District Magistrates to ensure that BLOs personally visit every voter’s residence to distribute and collect forms in compliance with electoral norms.
"The Commission has instructed state authorities to follow the 'Bihar Model', under which BLOs are required to both distribute and collect forms directly from voters’ homes," the official said on Saturday.
"Any officer found negligent in duty will face disciplinary action. So far, eight BLOs have been show-caused for allegedly violating these instructions," he said.
To ensure effective monitoring, the EC has ordered the formation of control rooms at the district level and directed the appointment of one BLO supervisor for every 10 booths, he said.
Additionally, the Commission has launched a special helpline for citizens to report complaints related to BLO conduct or irregularities in the enumeration process, the poll panel official said.
"These measures are aimed at tightening supervision and maintaining transparency in the voter list revision exercise across the state," he said.
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Minor girl kidnapped and raped; main accused and two cafe owners held
Latur (PTI): A minor girl was allegedly kidnapped and raped by an 18-year-old man in Latur, leading to the arrest of the main accused and owners of two cafes where the crime occurred on December 4, police said on Saturday.
Police traced the girl within hours of registering the complaint. The accused, identified as Rihan Gulab Shaikh, was arrested based on the girl's complaint. Two others are owners of two cafes where the crime occurred, police said.
Police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), POCSO Act, and the Prevention of Atrocities Act, an official said.
