Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 18 February 2024
In a bid to enhance voter participation, curb electoral malpractices, and streamline the electoral registration process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) implemented a significant reform in August 2006: the introduction of Booth Level Officers (BLOs). These officers, drawn from various governmental and semi-governmental bodies, were tasked with ensuring the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls.
Each BLO, typically a resident of the same or nearby polling area, is responsible for maintaining a specific portion of the electoral roll, leveraging their local knowledge to update information. Acting as representatives of the ECI at the grassroots level, BLOs play a crucial role in the revision of rolls and the collection of field data pertinent to their assigned areas.
The introduction of BLOs marked a fundamental shift in the electoral management process, establishing a clear line of accountability for the preparation of error-free electoral rolls. BLOs were entrusted with custodianship at the polling booth level, instilling greater confidence among voters in the credibility of the electoral process. Additionally, BLOs facilitate the inclusion of eligible citizens in the electoral rolls, providing assistance with voter registration and issuing voter identification slips directly.
These officers also engage with local communities and political representatives, identifying and rectifying discrepancies such as deceased, relocated, or duplicate voters. Over the years, the BLO system has become an indispensable component of election management, successfully integrated into successive electoral processes.
In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Booth Level Officers have been appointed in all 412 polling stations. Mr. B S Jaglan, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer of A&N Islands, has urged citizens to verify their electoral roll details by contacting their respective BLOs. The list of BLOs is available on the CEO’s official website (https://www.ceoandaman.nic.in), and individuals can also inquire about their area’s designated BLO by calling the toll-free number 1950.