In a significant move acknowledging the crucial role of ground-level election officials, the Election Commission of India has announced a substantial increase in remuneration for Booth Level Officers and their supervisors. The decision comes amid ongoing electoral roll revisions across multiple states.
Substantial Pay Hike for Election Workforce
The Election Commission on Saturday declared that Booth Level Officers will now receive Rs 12,000 per election cycle, effectively doubling their previous remuneration of Rs 6,000. This marks the first such revision since 2015.
In addition to BLOs, the commission has also enhanced payments for BLO Supervisors, whose remuneration has been increased from Rs 12,000 to Rs 18,000. The EC recognized that the electoral roll machinery, comprising Electoral Registration Officers, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, BLO Supervisors and Booth Level Officers, plays a pivotal role in preparing impartial and transparent electoral rolls.
BJP Forms Oversight Committee
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party has established a seven-member national coordination team to monitor the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The committee will identify discrepancies and address issues faced by BLOs nationwide.
The BJP panel is led by national general secretary Tarun Chugh and includes prominent members such as Dr K Laxman, K. Annamalai, Om Prakash Dhankhar, Alka Gurjar, Dr Anirban Ganguly, and Jamyang Tsering Namgyal. The committee has already begun field visits as part of its review process.
Ground Assessment and State Focus
On Saturday, Dr Anirban Ganguly visited Nadia district in West Bengal, his home state, to assess the progress of the revision exercise. The panel will continue monitoring West Bengal, where elections are scheduled next year, until December 1. The BJP aims to challenge three-term Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress in the state.
The review of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has already been completed by the committee. The increased scrutiny comes at a critical time when several BLOs have reportedly committed suicide or died under unnatural circumstances during the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in 12 states, including Kerala, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh.
Last week, tensions escalated in Kolkata when Booth Level Officers clashed with police during a protest over alleged excessive work pressure. Members of the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee attempted to enter the Chief Electoral Officer's office, carrying locks and fetters to symbolically seal the building's main entrance.
The Election Commission's decision to enhance remuneration is seen as both recognition of the hard work performed by these officials and an attempt to address concerns about working conditions during the crucial electoral roll preparation process.
