Major Crackdown on Electoral Officials in Uttar Pradesh
The Uttar Pradesh administration has launched a significant crackdown on Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Over 60 FIRs have been registered against BLOs and seven supervisors across three police stations in Noida, while in Bahraich, two BLOs have been suspended and a third faces legal action.
Legal Action Under Representation of People Act
The Noida administration took decisive action under Section 32 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. District Magistrate Medha Rupam, who also serves as the District Election Officer of Noida, ordered Sub-District Magistrates of three Noida assembly segments to file FIRs against non-compliant BLOs.
According to official statements, despite repeated instructions, warnings, and formal notices, several BLOs failed to report to their assigned areas and disregarded orders from senior officials. The administration had previously warned that persistent non-compliance could result in salary withholding and disciplinary measures.
Breakdown of FIR Registrations
The legal actions have been distributed across multiple police stations:
- Dadri: Two FIRs naming 18 officials, including 12 anganwadi workers and government school teachers in one case, and six supervisors in another
- Greater Noida's Ecotech Phase 1: One FIR against 33 BLOs and one supervisor
- Jewar: One FIR targeting 17 BLOs
Each FIR was formally lodged by the area's Sub-District Magistrate, who has been designated as the local Electoral Registration Officer during the SIR exercise.
Strict Monitoring and Deadlines
The current SIR phase-II enumeration exercise is underway across nine states and three Union Territories with a strict December 4 deadline. Unlike the previous Bihar exercise, this phase places greater responsibility on BLOs to verify elector details against old electoral rolls during the enumeration process itself.
On Saturday, DM Rupam conducted a comprehensive review meeting with Sector and Zonal Magistrates at the Collectorate, emphasizing the need for effective, transparent, and time-bound completion of the revision process. She directed that every BLO must reach their assigned areas punctually, conduct door-to-door visits, and properly complete Form 6 for new voters and Form 8 for transfers or amendments.
Bahraich Suspensions and Political Complaint
In Bahraich, the situation escalated with the suspension of two BLOs. Shama Nafees, a primary school headmistress assigned as a BLO, was accused of ignoring written notices and repeated phone calls directing her to report for duty. Similarly, Anurag, an assistant teacher at a primary school, allegedly refused to perform his SIR responsibilities.
Bahraich's Basic Shiksha Adhikari Ashish Kumar Singh confirmed that despite regular instructions, both individuals were unwilling to perform their duties, leading to their suspension.
In a separate development, police registered a case against BLO Abhishek Singh, an instructor at a primary school, based on a complaint filed by BJP leader Ankit Kumar Singh. The complaint alleged that during a November 18 phone call regarding SIR form distribution, Singh became agitated and used objectionable language, allegedly damaging the party's reputation.
The FIR at Visheshnwarganj police station includes charges of insult to provoke breach of peace, criminal intimidation, and defamation. Circle Officer Raj Singh Yadav confirmed that the complainant submitted call recordings and chat evidence supporting the allegations.
Administration's Zero-Tolerance Approach
The District Magistrate's "War Room" issued a detailed statement emphasizing that strict action was ordered in accordance with Election Commission of India instructions. The administration has made it clear that any delay or negligence in the electoral revision process will result in immediate notices and demands for clarification.
This crackdown highlights the administration's determination to ensure the integrity of the electoral revision process amid tight deadlines and increased scrutiny of BLO performance across Uttar Pradesh.
