Chandigarh, September 24:
Dr. S. Karuna Raju, IAS, Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab has started holding virtual meetings with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to motivate them for the ensuing Assembly Elections. To be held in staggered manner with BLOs of all 23 districts, first such virtual meeting was held yesterday with all the BLOs of Ferozepur and Barnala districts.
BLOs serve as the face and work as the foot-soldiers of the Election Commission of India. They are responsible for maintaining their area’s voter lists. Applauding their admirable services, Dr. Raju urged them to get geared up for the ensuing Vidhan Sabha Elections.
Apprising BLOs about the Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) such as availability of ramps proper infrastructure, toilets etc. at the polling stations, Dr. Raju instructed them to diligently work to verify the available services and report the shortcoming found in the prescribed format. Dr. Raju assured them that the matter would be taken up with the concerned higher authority to remove the shortcomings within shortest timeframe possible.
Divulging details about the ECI’s paradigm shift towards polling booths, Dr. Raju asserted that ECI has adopted a booth centric approach. He further explained that ECI has adopted a bottoms-up approach starting from a booth to upto State level, making their job even more important.
He also said that Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) activities have to be initiated from booth level making a booth as a SVEEP hub. Dr. Raju asked them to undertake various SVEEP initiatives at booth level such as cultural activities, quizzes and various competitions.
Apart from enrolling new voters, BLOs fulfil the important task of verifying existing voters, reviewing electoral rolls for deletion of deceased voters or those who have permanently shifted residence. BLOs are also tasked with giving citizens the voter slips 10-15 days prior the poll.
