In a significant move to streamline the electoral process, the Election Commission (EC) has introduced a crucial new feature within its Booth Level Officer (BLO) application. This development, centered in Kolkata, is designed to tackle the persistent issue of mapping errors for voters, thereby reducing the need for cumbersome physical hearings.
New Feature to Rectify Technical Glitches
The newly added option, named 'Electors with No Mapping', empowers BLOs to directly correct mapping discrepancies that have arisen due to technical faults within the system. Previously, such errors required escalation and often forced voters to attend in-person hearings. An EC official clarified that these glitches were the primary cause of the mapping problems identified after the draft Summary Revision (SIR) roll was published. "Now that the new feature is introduced, BLOs can rectify the errors on their own, and these electors will not have to attend any hearing," the official stated.
Timely Rollout Amid Hearing Preparations
The deployment of this feature is strategically timed, coinciding with the Commission's preparations to begin the formal hearing process for unmapped voters across the city. This marks the second major enhancement to the BLO App in a matter of days. Just on Monday, BLOs received the 'Delivery of Schedule Hearing Notice' feature, which mandates them to capture photographs of recipients when delivering physical copies of hearing notices, adding a layer of documentation and accountability.
Mounting Workload for Booth-Level Officers
While the new tools aim to improve accuracy and efficiency, they have also contributed to an increased workload for the frontline BLOs. Many officers have reported that their duties have become increasingly strenuous with the continuous addition of app-based tasks alongside the ongoing SIR exercise. A BLO from south Kolkata voiced a common concern, stating, "The SIR exercise, for which we have been toiling since last month, has become very strenuous with the commission assigning us new tasks. My ERO asked me to check the documents and rectify the errors of the voters with mapping errors." This highlights the balancing act between leveraging technology for efficiency and managing the practical burdens on ground staff.
The Election Commission's digital push, exemplified by these updates to the BLO App, underscores its effort to harness technology for a smoother electoral roll management process. The success of these features will ultimately be measured by their ability to reduce administrative bottlenecks and ensure no voter is left out due to a technical error.
