{"id":23888,"date":"2025-11-11T17:24:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T17:24:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/11\/bjp-tmc-spar-over-election-commissions-new-rules-on-booth-level-officials-politics-news\/"},"modified":"2025-11-11T17:24:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T17:24:13","slug":"bjp-tmc-spar-over-election-commissions-new-rules-on-booth-level-officials-politics-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/2025\/11\/11\/bjp-tmc-spar-over-election-commissions-new-rules-on-booth-level-officials-politics-news\/","title":{"rendered":"BJP, TMC Spar Over Election Commission\u2019s New Rules On Booth Level Officials | Politics News"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"story-9700216\">\n<p><span class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">Last Updated:<\/span><time class=\"jsx-395e0e0beb19cb6e jsx-4143937483\">November 11, 2025, 22:48 IST<\/time><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"asubttl-9700216\" class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-760695445 asubttl-schema\">The Election Commission on Tuesday notified the modification in the rules regarding the appointment of Booth Level Officials<\/h2>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-760695445\">\n<figure class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-760695445 amimg\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Commission said this change aims to ensure the smooth conduct of electoral roll revision. (Representative)\" title=\"The Commission said this change aims to ensure the smooth conduct of electoral roll revision. (Representative)\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2021\/07\/1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg?impolicy=website&amp;width=400&amp;height=225\" loading=\"eager\" fetchpriority=\"high\" class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-760695445\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Commission said this change aims to ensure the smooth conduct of electoral roll revision. (Representative)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"0\" class=\"story_para_0\">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\u2019 list in West Bengal.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>What\u2019s The New Rule?<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p id=\"2\" class=\"story_para_2\">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.<\/p>\n<p id=\"3\" class=\"story_para_3\">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.<\/p>\n<p id=\"4\" class=\"story_para_4\">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.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>TMC Cries Foul Play<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p id=\"6\" class=\"story_para_6\">Meanwhile, the Mamata Banerjee-led party criticised the move, calling it a \u201ccunning amendment&#8221; that allegedly benefits the BJP.<\/p>\n<p id=\"7\" class=\"story_para_7\">In a post on X, the party said, \u201cALARMING The ECI has quietly and cunningly amended the rules governing the appointment of Booth Level Agents (BLAs)\u2026 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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"twtiframe\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\u26a0\ufe0f ALARMING \u26a0\ufe0f<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ECISVEEP?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">@ECISVEEP<\/a> has quietly and cunningly amended the rules governing the appointment of Booth Level Agents (BLAs).\u27a1\ufe0f Earlier, as per the Commission\u2019s 2023 guidelines: \u201cThe BLA must be a registered elector in the relevant part of the electoral roll for which he\/she is\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fHWOb5zhPP\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/fHWOb5zhPP<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AITCofficial\/status\/1988268922853093388?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">November 11, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"8\" class=\"story_para_8\">The TMC further claimed that the change reflects how the poll body \u201chas been reduced to a servile extension of the ruling party&#8221;, accusing it of rewriting rules for the BJP\u2019s political convenience.<\/p>\n<p id=\"9\" class=\"story_para_9\">TMC leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Kunal Ghosh also slammed the move and said, \u201cThe 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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"twtiframe\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"bn\">\u09ac\u09bf\u099c\u09c7\u09aa\u09bf\u09b8\u09b9 \u09ac\u09bf\u09b0\u09cb\u09a7\u09c0\u09a6\u09c7\u09b0 \u09b8\u09c1\u09ac\u09bf\u09a7\u09c7 \u0995\u09b0\u09c7 \u09a6\u09bf\u09a4\u09c7 \u09a8\u09be\u09ae\u09b2 \u099c\u09be\u09a4\u09c0\u09af\u09bc \u09a8\u09bf\u09b0\u09cd\u09ac\u09be\u099a\u09a8 \u0995\u09ae\u09bf\u09b6\u09a8\u0964 BLA 2 \u09b8\u0982\u09b6\u09cd\u09b2\u09bf\u09b7\u09cd\u099f \u09aa\u09be\u09b0\u09cd\u099f\/\u09ac\u09c1\u09a5 \u09a5\u09c7\u0995\u09c7 \u09b9\u0993\u09af\u09bc\u09be\u09b0 \u0995\u09a5\u09be\u0964 \u0993\u09a6\u09c7\u09b0 \u09b2\u09cb\u0995 \u09a8\u09c7\u0987\u0964 \u09a4\u09be\u0987 \u0985\u09a8\u09cd\u09af \u098f\u09b2\u09be\u0995\u09be \u09a5\u09c7\u0995\u09c7 BLA 2 \u0986\u09a8\u09a4\u09c7 \u099b\u09be\u09a1\u09bc \u09a6\u09bf\u099a\u09cd\u099b\u09c7\u0964 \u09ac\u09be\u0987\u09b0\u09c7\u09b0 \u0985\u099a\u09c7\u09a8\u09be \u09b2\u09cb\u0995 \u09a2\u09cb\u0995\u09be\u09a8\u09cb\u09b0 \u09ab\u09b2\u09c7 \u099c\u099f\u09bf\u09b2\u09a4\u09be\u0993 \u09ac\u09be\u09a1\u09bc\u09ac\u09c7\u0964 \u098f\u0987 \u09b8\u09be\u09b0\u09cd\u0995\u09c1\u09b2\u09be\u09b0 \u09a0\u09bf\u0995 \u09b9\u09b2\u09c7 \u09ac\u09bf\u09b7\u09af\u09bc\u099f\u09be \u09aa\u09cd\u09b0\u09a4\u09bf\u09ac\u09be\u09a6\u09af\u09cb\u0997\u09cd\u09af\u0964 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/9b5nLYvTiY\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/9b5nLYvTiY<\/a>\u2014 Kunal Ghosh (@KunalGhoshAgain) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KunalGhoshAgain\/status\/1988257275300217075?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">November 11, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<h3><strong>BJP Welcomes Move<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p id=\"11\" class=\"story_para_11\">On the other hand, the BJP welcomed the ECI\u2019s decision, calling it a \u201cprogressive step.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"12\" class=\"story_para_12\">West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said that the move \u201cenhances 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.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"twtiframe\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">I welcome the Election Commission of India\u2019s timely decision on modifications to the Booth Level Agent (BLA) appointment criteria. This progressive step, outlined in the ECI\u2019s directive enhances flexibility by allowing BLAs from the same Assembly Constituency in cases of\u2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/8XoRrm1aC7\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/8XoRrm1aC7<\/a>\u2014 Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SuvenduWB\/status\/1988242190800490564?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow\">November 11, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"13\" class=\"story_para_13\">\u201cThis 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,&#8221; he added.<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atawrap\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atadetailwrp\">\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd ataname\"><span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atthumb\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Shobhit Gupta\" title=\"Shobhit Gupta\" src=\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/ibnlive\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Untitled-design-2025-06-421898aac7df12606d3395094d8b8840.png?impolicy=website&amp;width=60&amp;height=60\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd\"\/><\/figure>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd attitle\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/byline\/shobhit-gupta-28018.html\" class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd atamail\">Shobhit Gupta<\/a><\/p>\n<p>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&#8230;<span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>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&#8230;<!-- --> <span class=\"jsx-95088aad1b3c53cd aurpdebtn\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-760695445 atbtlink fp\"><span>First Published:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"rs\">\n<p>November 11, 2025, 22:48 IST<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-760695445 brdcrmb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/\">News<\/a>  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/politics\/\">politics<\/a>  <span class=\"brdout\"> BJP, TMC Spar Over Election Commission\u2019s New Rules On Booth Level Officials<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"coral-wrap\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f \">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coral-cont\">\n<div class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f coltoptxt\">Disclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/disclaimer\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Terms of Use<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/privacy_policy\/\" class=\"jsx-ba4d8f086a12294f\">Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"jsx-c9f81425ec968c48 jsx-760695445 rmbtn news18_read_more\">Read More<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.news18.com\/politics\/bjp-tmc-spar-over-election-commissions-new-rules-on-booth-level-officials-ws-l-9700216.html\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Updated:November 11, 2025, 22:48 IST 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&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":23889,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[48],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23888","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23888","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23888"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23888\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/23889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tezgyan.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}