The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a groundbreaking digital service for voters in Uttar Pradesh. The new 'Book a Call with BLO' facility allows citizens to schedule a telephonic appointment with their Booth Level Officer for electoral roll verification and related queries.
How the New Voter Verification System Works
This initiative, launched by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Uttar Pradesh, Navdeep Rinwa, on Tuesday, represents a significant shift towards accessible voter services. The system is designed to streamline the process of resolving discrepancies in the electoral roll. Voters can now book a time slot for a call from their designated BLO through a simple online process, eliminating the need for physical visits and long waits.
The facility is currently operational in all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh. It aims to address common issues such as errors in voter details, missing names from the list, and requests for corrections. By facilitating direct communication, the ECI hopes to improve the accuracy and inclusivity of the voter list for the upcoming elections.
Step-by-Step Process for Voters
To use the service, voters need to follow a clear, user-friendly procedure. First, they must visit the official website of the Chief Electoral Officer, Uttar Pradesh. On the homepage, they will find the dedicated link for the 'Book a Call with BLO' service.
After clicking the link, users are required to enter their mobile number to receive a One-Time Password (OTP) for verification. Once verified, they can select their state, district, and assembly constituency. The system will then prompt them to enter their Part Number and Serial Number from the electoral roll, which are crucial for identifying their specific polling booth and corresponding BLO.
Upon submitting these details, the voter will be able to see the name and contact number of their assigned Booth Level Officer. The final step involves choosing a convenient date and time slot from the available options to receive a call from the BLO. An SMS confirmation is sent upon successful booking.
Objectives and Expected Impact
The primary goal of this digital intervention is to enhance the quality of the electoral roll and make the verification process more voter-centric. Navdeep Rinwa emphasized that this move is part of the ECI's continuous efforts to leverage technology for better electoral management and greater voter convenience.
Booth Level Officers are the grassroots interface between the Election Commission and the voters. Their role in verifying and updating the roll is critical. This facility ensures that voters, especially those who are elderly, differently-abled, or have time constraints, can get their issues resolved without hassle. It also aims to reduce the workload on BLOs by organizing and scheduling queries efficiently.
The launch of this service is particularly significant in Uttar Pradesh, a state with a massive electorate. By enabling scheduled, one-on-one conversations, the ECI expects a higher rate of error correction and a more robust verification process ahead of any future polls. This initiative is seen as a major step towards inclusive and participatory democracy, ensuring every eligible citizen finds their name correctly listed.
