EC Warns TMC: No Intimidation of Election Officials Tolerated Amidst Voter List Row

• Election Commission (EC) issued a stern warning to Trinamool Congress (TMC) against intimidating election officials amidst the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in West Bengal.
• TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee accused the EC of 'weaponizing' the voter list, weakening institutions, and 'theft' by removing 58.2 lakh names using new software tools.
• The EC stated that threats to Booth Level Officers (BLOs), EROs, AEROs, or supervisors by political representatives will not be accepted, urging TMC to control grassroots workers.
• The Commission clarified it directed the West Bengal government to release enhanced honorarium for BLOs and plans polling stations in high-rise buildings and slums for voter convenience.
• Banerjee also criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and challenged the EC to release CCTV footage of their meeting, while also taking a dig at opposition parties like Congress.

Why It Matters: EC issues stern warning to TMC over alleged intimidation of election officials amid West Bengal voter list revision.