The Election Commission of India (ECI) has received several complaints from political parties in West Bengal against Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for distributing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) enumeration forms at tea stalls, street corners, local clubs, and schools—violating official guidelines.

Reports suggested that people were seen rushing to street corners to collect their forms. The state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) reportedly faced embarrassment as these irregularities came to light.

Poll body issues warning

After receiving multiple complaints, the ECI issued a strict advisory to senior poll officers, reminding them to follow the official rules of form distribution. BLOs were instructed that enumeration forms must be delivered only by visiting voters’ homes. The poll body cautioned that the practice of distributing forms in public places was unacceptable.

District Magistrates (DMs) were also told to remain extra vigilant and warned of disciplinary action if further negligence was observed.

‘Follow the Bihar model’

The ECI directed BLOs to follow the “Bihar model” — where officers personally deliver the enumeration forms at voters’ homes, explain the process, and clear any doubts. Additionally, the Commission ordered district-level control rooms to be set up for supervision, with one BLO supervisor assigned for every ten booths.

The ECI reiterated that these measures aim to ensure fair and transparent voter list revisions, and warned of action against those failing to comply.

Samajwadi Party veteran Azam Khan met party president Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on Friday, describing the meeting as a symbolic gesture of resilience and a call for justice and political change in Uttar Pradesh.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Khan said, “The real intent of our meeting was to show that despite the oppression and historic injustice we faced, there still exist people whose endurance is stronger than stone or mountain.”

Accompanied by his son and former MLA Abdullah Azam, Khan noted that many of their supporters were still imprisoned. “When we meet, we remind each other of those painful times so that future generations remember that such injustice once took place,” he said.

Azam Khan recalls ‘injustice’ and misuse of agencies

Recently released after nearly two years in jail on multiple charges, including land grabbing and intimidation, Khan expressed gratitude to the media for what he termed a “change of perception.”

“Those who once misunderstood me now seem to realise that great injustice was done to us,” he remarked. He also recounted the Income Tax raids at his residence and Rampur’s Jauhar University, saying officials “used words that could make any decent person bow his head in shame.”

Khan urged for an end to the misuse of investigative agencies and said, “Until the political system improves and people understand what is truly happening, injustice will continue. But I sense change. Those who once opposed me now come to meet me, embrace me, and weep. That is a sign of transformation.”

Rejecting rumours that the Lucknow visit was linked to legal matters, Khan clarified, “There is no other reason. I came to meet Akhilesh Yadav and to send a message through you that we stand for change.”

A renewed bond within the Samajwadi Party

This meeting marks the second significant interaction between the two leaders in a month. On October 8, Akhilesh Yadav had visited Rampur, calling Khan a “strong pillar” of the Samajwadi Party and assuring that a future SP government would withdraw all false cases against him.

Azam Khan, a founding member of the Samajwadi Party and one of its senior-most leaders, has been a close aide of the late Mulayam Singh Yadav. Despite past speculation about a rift, Khan has consistently rejected any possibility of leaving the party.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the people of Bihar for turning out in record numbers during the first phase of assembly elections, calling it a clear reflection of their faith in the BJP-led NDA government at both state and central levels. Speaking at a rally in Aurangabad, he highlighted the 64.66% voter turnout as the highest ever since Independence.

Bihar’s trust in double-engine growth, says PM

Addressing a massive gathering, PM Modi said, “People of Bihar have broken all records. Close to 65% of voting took place in the first phase. This shows that the youth, farmers, and women of Bihar are coming forward to bless the BJP-led NDA.”
He praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s leadership for transforming the state and freeing regions like Aurangabad from years of Naxal violence. “This region was long afflicted with Maoist terror. After ‘Sushashan’ came under Nitish Kumar, the fear vanished, and people began to live freely again,” he added.

‘Fake promises’ warning to voters

The Prime Minister also cautioned voters against “fake promises” made by the opposition Mahagathbandhan, remarking that their return would mean “the comeback of katta sarkar.” He reminded the crowd of the BJP government’s record in fulfilling promises—from the construction of the Ram Mandir and abrogation of Article 370 to implementing the One Rank One Pension scheme for the armed forces.
PM Modi also referred to his past vow to avenge terror attacks, stating, “Didn’t our forces punish the perpetrators of Pahalgam attacks? Didn’t they retaliate against their wicked designs?”