Gurgaon: Amid concerns of delay in the ongoing door-to-door voter verification exercise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the government has ordered teachers who have been assigned Booth Level Officer (BLO) duties not to leave their place of posting and complete their work within the set time. Authorities said those found neglecting their responsibilities will face strict action.
Background of the Directive
The directive comes after several teachers working as BLOs left for their native places when summer vacation started in their respective schools. As a result, voter verification has not begun in several parts of the city. Officials have been asked to prepare a list of BLOs who have not started fieldwork in their respective areas. In Sohna, the process of initiating FIRs against a few of them has already begun.
Ensuring Compliance
District election officer (DEO) and deputy commissioner Uttam Singh said instructions have been issued to the district education officer, district elementary education officer, programme officer of the women and child development department and the chief medical officer to ensure compliance by the BLOs deployed from their departments.
Role of BLOs
Officials said BLOs have a crucial role in the SIR to maintain accuracy and credibility of electoral rolls. The election commission has issued strict directions to ensure accountability in the conduct of electoral duties.
Legal Provisions
The DEO said that under Section 13B(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, BLOs are appointed by the electoral registration officer with the approval of the DEO. Once appointed, they are deemed to be on deputation to the election commission under Section 13CC of the Act.
“If any BLO is found negligent, derelict in duty, indisciplined, acting in disregard of the commission’s instructions, or involved in activities affecting the purity, impartiality and credibility of the electoral roll, strict departmental and legal action can be taken,” Singh said.
Action Against Negligence
He said that under the commission’s directives, the DEO can suspend a BLO and recommend departmental proceedings. In serious cases involving criminal misconduct, an FIR can also be registered against the concerned person with the approval of the chief electoral officer.
Action in such cases assumes further importance as disciplinary proceedings once initiated cannot be withdrawn without prior approval of the chief electoral officer.
Additional Information
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About the Author: Bagish Jha is an Assistant Editor with The Times of India. Since 2015, he has been covering infrastructure, governance, administration, judiciary, taxation, and public issues, with a strong focus on South Haryana. His journalistic journey began in Nagpur, and prior to his current role in the National Capital Region, he reported extensively from Indore and across Madhya Pradesh. An alumnus of Nagpur University, Jha’s reporting consistently highlights systemic irregularities and gaps in government policies, with a particular focus on their impact on citizens. Through his work, he continues to serve as a vital link between policy and people, striving to make governance more transparent and accountable.
