Opinion | Booth Level Officer-A Representative of ECI at Grass-Root Level.

Custodian of Error Free E-Roll and Booth Level Ambassador of Election Process.

Booth Level Officer (BLO) is a Government official, familiar with the local electors and generally a voter in the same polling area who assists in updating the E Roll using his local knowledge. In fact, Booth Level Officer is a representative of Election Commission of India (ECI) at the Grass-Root Level who plays a pivotal role in the process of E-Roll Revision and collecting actual field information with regard to the roll corresponding to the Polling area assigned to him.
Under Section 13B (2) of Representation of People Act, 1950, Booth Level Officers are appointed from amongst the offices of the Government. Generally, one Booth Level Officer is responsible for one part of the Electoral Roll. From August, 2006 the ECI has decided to introduce the concept of appointing Booth Level Officer Who would be accountable for ensuring the error free data,It was really a great decision by Election Commission of India. .
The ECI introduced this new system of appointing BLOs creating a clear line for preparation of an Error-Free Electoral Roll, making the BLOs its custodian at the Polling Booth Level. Previously, Voter-Identification Slips used to be distributed by the contesting candidates of various political parties and that gave scope for complaints. The preparation of accurate electoral rolls and direct distribution of voter identification slips by the BLOs also boosted voter confidence in the Election Process.
BLO assists eligible citizens to become voters and obtain voter card. BLO provides those different forms for addition, deletion and correction of Electoral Roll entries, carries out physical verification, and gives his report to Electoral Registration Officer (ERO).The BLO interacts with local people, political parties representatives and identifies dead/shifted/duplicate voters to be removed from the electoral roll after due process of law.
Within a few years of introduction of BLO system and successfully using it in elections, it has now become an integral part of Election Process. The Election Commission of India has taken many such steps which have brought great relief to the Electoral Population of the Country.
Work Assigned To BLOs By the ECI.
Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in India have several responsibilities, including:
1. Electoral Roll Management: BLOs are tasked with maintaining accurate and Up-To-Date Voter lists for their assigned Polling Stations. This includes adding New Voters, Deleting deceased or ineligible voters, and correcting any errors in the voter database,For Which he used Form-6,Form-7 and Form-8.
2. Voter Verification: BLOs verify the details of voters residing within their designated areas to ensure the accuracy of the electoral roll. They may conduct door-to-door visits to verify voter information and address any discrepancies found in Electoral Roll.
3. Voter Awareness: BLOs play a crucial role in raising voter awareness and encouraging voter participation. They educate voters about the importance of voting, electoral procedures, and the electoral process under SVEEP Plan.
4. Election Preparation: BLOs assist in the preparation of polling stations for elections. This includes setting up polling stations, ensuring the availability of necessary voting materials, and making arrangements for voters with disabilities,like Assured Minimum Facilities Ramp,Electricity,Drinking Water, Separate Toilet Facilities and adequate facilities.
5. Facilitating Voting: On election day, BLOs oversee the voting process at their respective polling stations. They ensure that voting proceeds smoothly, address any issues or complaints raised by voters.
6. Reporting: BLOs report back to the Election Commission of India on the status of electoral roll updates, voter verification efforts, and any challenges or issues encountered during the electoral process.
Overall, BLOs play a vital role in ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process at the grassroots level in India.
ECI also started a magazine for motivation and appreciation which contains BLO Success Stories. BLOs Should feel proud as they are the plays an active part in Worlds Largest Elections.BLOs conducted so many activities under SVEEP Plan at Polling Station Level fir Awareness and Encouragement of the Electors.During Elections BLOs usually receive a BLO Kit from District Election Officer including items like Register,Glue and Voter Manual. Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation program, better known as SVEEP, is the flagship program of the Election Commission of India for voter education, spreading voter awareness and promoting voter literacy in India.