Susmita Pal, a voter from the Cossipore-Belgachhia, said, “The BLO from our area told us to be present at home when she comes to distribute the voter slip. We are confused as it is not always possible to remain at home. However, she could not give any idea when she would come. If she returns with our voter slip, then I do not know how we will cast our vote.”Bulbuli Ray, another voter from the area, said the BLA came to her residence to convey a message from the BLO, asking family members to be present at the time of slip distribution. “My daughter does not return home before 10 pm. In that case, how can she be present when the BLO comes? I asked her to leave her voter card so that I could show it to the BLO.”A Maniktala resident living in a housing complex was informed to stay on the ground floor in the evening when the BLO would come and hand over voter slips to each individual. She said, “I stay in one place and my daughter stays in the housing complex. The BLO of my area handed over my voter slip when I was absent, and my husband received it. But, I do not know how to collect my daughter’s slip.”This is the first time that BLOs have been involved in distributing voter slips. Earlier, workers from different parties distributed the slips to voters, but this time they have no role in the process.Sumedha Bhattacharya, a BLO from Shyampukur, said, “We have been asked to hand over voter slips to an adult member of a family. I have been following that instruction. The family member collecting slips on behalf of others has to sign the register I am carrying.” Arup Nag, a BLO from Kasba, said, “I have been given voter slips to distribute to about 800 voters in this area, and I have only three days in hand.” Some BLOs said that during distribution and collection of forms, the BLAs had helped them but now the latter have refused, saying that the situation is tense.
