The Election Commission of India has introduced a significant new directive for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Kolkata and across West Bengal, aimed at adding a layer of verification to the voter list revision process. The commission now requires BLOs to capture and upload "live photos" of electors at the moment they are served hearing notices.
New Verification Norm for Voter Mapping
This fresh instruction was communicated to BLOs on Saturday. The core of the new mandate is that while visiting the residences of electors to deliver hearing notices, BLOs must take a live photograph of the recipient. This photograph must clearly display the date, time, and the name of the location. An official from the Election Commission explained that the newly added "upload live photo" feature in the BLO App is designed to confirm that the hearing notice was physically handed over to the voter at their registered address.
The new procedure is applicable to electors who receive the hearing notice from now onward. Officials clarified that since the serving of notices is an ongoing process, the norm will apply prospectively. The hearing procedure itself began on December 27, with BLOs across Kolkata having started to serve these notices since December 19.
BLOs Express Confusion Over Mid-Process Change
The sudden introduction of this rule in the middle of an ongoing exercise has caused some confusion and concern among the ground-level officers. Previously, until Friday, BLOs were only required to upload a digital receipt after serving a notice to unmapped voters. The addition of the live photo requirement has added to their operational workload.
One BLO in the city voiced frustration, stating, "This morning I received a call from my supervisor instructing me to upload the elector's live photo along with the receipt. I have already served 20 hearing notices to unmapped voters, and the EC just sent me a new list of 15 others. Changing the rules midway through the process is puzzling." The BLO added that being bombarded with new app features and instructions is leading to confusion about the correct work procedure.
Another officer mentioned adapting to the change, "Upon asking my Electoral Registration Officer, I learned that those who already received the notice will not need to be photographed. Today, I served notices to 7 individuals following the new procedure."
Growing Responsibilities for Booth Level Officers
Swapan Mandal, the general secretary of Votekarmi and BLO Aikya Mancha, an association representing BLOs, commented on the evolving nature of their duties. He noted, "The Election Commission continues to assign new responsibilities to the BLOs. Every new instruction typically means a new feature is added to the BLO App." This statement highlights the increasing digital and procedural demands placed on these frontline election workers.
The move is seen as an effort by the Election Commission to enhance the accuracy and transparency of the electoral roll revision process, ensuring that hearing notices are genuinely served to the concerned individuals at their homes. While aimed at strengthening the system, its implementation has presented practical challenges for the officers executing it on the ground.
