ECI Flags "Serious Security Breach" at Bengal CEO Office, Demands Police Report

The Election Commission of India (ECI) formally wrote to Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma today, November 26, 2025, citing a "serious security breach" at the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). The letter demands an "action taken report" within 48 hours and enhanced security for electoral officials. This follows a massive protest on November 24 where over 1,800 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) marched to the CEO's office, attempting to force entry to demand accountability for the recent deaths of colleagues allegedly caused by the extreme workload of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Context (How We Got Here)

The confrontation stems from the ongoing Phase-II of the SIR, which mandates verifying over 7.6 crore voters in just 30 days. BLOs report crushing pressure, with at least three deaths (including suicides) linked to stress in the last three weeks. While Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called the process "chaotic and dangerous," the ECI has maintained that the timeline is non-negotiable. The November 24 protest, organized by the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee, escalated when officers were denied a meeting with the CEO, leading to a scuffle at the gates which the ECI has now labeled a security threat.

The Key Players (Who & So What)

• Election Commission of India: The complainant. By framing the protest as a "security breach" and demanding police protection for its staff, the ECI is shifting the narrative from worker grievances to law and order, implicitly criminalizing the BLOs' dissent.
• Manoj Kumar Verma (Kolkata Police Commissioner): The enforcer. Now mandated to secure the CEO's office and residences, his response will determine whether the police crack down on future protests or facilitate dialogue.
• BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee: The protestors. Representing thousands of teachers and government staff conscripted for election duty, they argue that the "security breach" claim is a distraction from the life-threatening working conditions imposed by the ECI.

The BIGSTORY Reframe

While the headlines focus on the "security breach," the deeper story is the "Weaponization of Security." The ECI's letter effectively inverts the victimhood narrative: instead of addressing the deaths of its own ground-level workers, it is positioning them as a threat to the institution. This move transforms a labor rights crisis into a security problem, justifying police intervention against the very people essential to conducting elections. It signals a hardening stance where administrative efficiency is prioritized over human cost, and dissent within the ranks is treated as insurrection rather than feedback.

The Implications (Why This Changes Things)

This directive likely forecloses any possibility of extending the SIR deadline, as the ECI digs in against "pressure tactics." It puts the Kolkata Police in a delicate position between the central ECI mandate and the state government's sympathy for the BLOs. Politically, it gives the TMC fresh ammunition to claim the ECI is anti-worker and authoritarian. For the BLOs, it means their workplace concerns are now potential criminal liabilities, likely discouraging future organized protests but deepening morale collapse.

The Closing Question (Now, Think About This)

If the people who build the voter list are treated as a security threat for demanding safe working conditions, can the election they enable truly be called free and fair?

FAQs

What happened at the West Bengal CEO office on November 24? A large group of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) staged a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) workload and recent deaths of colleagues. Some protestors allegedly attempted to force entry into the Chief Electoral Officer's office, leading the ECI to label the incident a "serious security breach."

Why did the Election Commission write to the Kolkata Police Commissioner? The ECI wrote to Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma to express dissatisfaction with the "inadequate" security arrangements during the protest. The Commission demanded an "action taken report" within 48 hours and directed the police to ensure the safety of the CEO and other senior officials at their offices and residences.

Why are BLOs protesting against the SIR process? BLOs are protesting against the extreme workload and compressed timeline (30 days to verify crores of voters) of the SIR. They allege that the pressure has led to severe stress and health issues, citing at least three deaths (including suicides) among their ranks in recent weeks.

How many BLOs have died during the SIR process? Reports indicate that at least 3 to 16 BLOs nationwide have died during the SIR period, with families and unions attributing these deaths to work-related stress. The ECI has denied a direct causal link.

Sources

News Coverage

• Indian Express – ECI agitation BLOs Kolkata serious security breach report from police
• NDTV – Election Commission writes to Kolkata police chief over security breach
• The Week – EC writes to Kolkata police commissioner on security breach at WB CEO's office
• Times of India – Serious security breach: EC writes to Kolkata police amid BLO protest

Research & Analysis

• Telegraph India – Serious security breach: EC seeks report from Kolkata police over protest by BLOs
• Desi Talk Chicago – Inadequate: ECI directs Kolkata police to enhance security measures