Overview

• The Election Commission sent a fresh communique to chief secretary Manoj Pant through the CEO’s office, instructing that no deviations from prescribed criteria for BLO and ERO appointments will be allowed.
• For BLO roles, permanent state employees, including government school teachers, must be prioritized, with contractual staff permitted only where justified by the district magistrate and cleared by the CEO.
• ERO posts must be filled from the WBCS (Executive) cadre by officers no lower than SDM, SDO, or RDO, with the Commission stressing seniority and service credentials.
• The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls is expected to begin after 15 October, heightening scrutiny of staffing and procedures.
• Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari has submitted a list alleging 226 irregular ERO appointments, while Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Commission of overreach and bias.