Kolkata, 26 July (H.S.) -

As part of its early preparations for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated the training process for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) across the state. While the Commission has described the move as part of routine voter list revision efforts, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has expressed strong reservations, alleging that the training is part of a larger political ploy.

The ECI recently issued a letter to the state government, directing an increase in the honorarium for BLOs and their supervisors. The revised rates propose an annual payment of ₹12,000 for BLOs and ₹18,000 for supervisors, with an additional ₹2,000 as part of an undefined “intensive special campaign.” The absence of clarity regarding the nature of this campaign has sparked speculation in political circles.

A training session held on Saturday at Kolkata’s Nazrul Mancha involved BLOs from Nadia, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, and Murshidabad districts. According to ECI officials, this is a standard procedure ahead of any major election and has gained added significance this time due to a ban on the use of contractual staff in the electoral process. As a result, a large number of new BLOs have been appointed, necessitating focused training sessions.

Reacting sharply to the Commission’s recent activities, TMC state vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar alleged that the ECI was attempting to aid the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal, as seen in other states. “The Election Commission seems to be working in favor of BJP, but Bengal is not like other states. Every booth here is fortified with a strong TMC network. We are in direct touch with every legitimate voter, and such conspiracies will not succeed,” Majumdar stated.

TMC’s apprehensions are further fueled by past experiences, particularly the sweeping changes seen during the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Although no formal announcement has been made regarding a similar revision in West Bengal, the current training programs and official communications have stirred political debates.

With approximately nine to ten months remaining before the state heads to polls, the early moves by the Election Commission, coupled with TMC’s heightened vigilance, indicate that political groundwork for the 2026 elections is already underway in Bengal.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh