Overview
- The Chief Electoral Officer’s office cited failures to register on the ERO-NET portal or refusal of duty and warned that non-response would trigger disciplinary steps.
- Many of those called to explain are government school teachers who have sought exemptions over workload and safety concerns, despite a High Court ruling allowing teacher deployment as BLOs if teaching is not disrupted.
- After complaints of irregularities, the Election Commission cautioned against appointing para- or part-time teachers as BLOs and sought district reports to rectify lists covering more than 4,000 suspected cases.
- With the Special Intensive Revision set to start soon, the Commission briefed CEOs in New Delhi to begin BLO training, map electors to earlier rolls, and engage parties to appoint and train booth-level agents.
- The TMC questioned the CEO office’s authority to issue notices before the model code takes effect, while the BJP blamed ruling-party intimidation for BLO reluctance and unions flagged unclear schedules.