The Election Commission of India’s (ECI) latest directive allowing flexibility in the appointment of booth level agents (BLAs) has triggered a sharp political debate in West Bengal, with the ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC) accusing the Commission of favouring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

According to the new guideline, if a political party faces difficulty in appointing a BLA from among voters registered in a particular booth, it may now nominate a voter from another booth within the same Assembly constituency as booth agent. Earlier, only a voter belonging to that specific booth could be appointed as its BLA. While the Election Commission of India has described the move as a practical measure aimed at easing administrative challenges, the TMC has denounced the decision as a “delibera

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