Source The Indian Express
In a major action to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, Uttar Pradesh authorities have initiated strict proceedings against Booth Level Officers (BLOs) over alleged irregularities in Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls. Officials confirmed on Monday that 60 BLOs have been booked in Noida, while two have been suspended in Bahraich.
According to district election authorities in Noida, the officers were found involved in lapses such as incorrect voter verification, negligence in door-to-door surveys, and discrepancies in inclusion and deletion of names from the voter list. The cases have reportedly been registered under sections related to dereliction of duty and falsification of official records.
District Magistrate and District Election Officer Noida said that continuous monitoring during the SSR uncovered “serious violations” by the BLOs. “Maintaining accurate electoral rolls is a fundamental duty, and any compromise will be dealt with firmly. These actions are intended to send a strong message against negligence,” the officer said.
In a separate action, Bahraich district authorities suspended two BLOs after they were found guilty of similar misconduct. Officials noted that the suspensions came after an internal inquiry highlighted errors in voter list entries and misreporting of field verification data.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has been emphasizing the need for clean, updated electoral rolls ahead of upcoming elections in several states. As part of the ongoing summary revision, BLOs are required to conduct thorough verification to ensure eligible voters are included and duplicate or incorrect entries are removed.
Senior officials stated that more checks are underway and further action may follow if additional irregularities surface. The UP administration has directed all districts to tighten supervision and ensure accountability at every stage of the revision process.
The crackdown signals the state’s growing emphasis on transparency and accuracy in electoral management, with authorities asserting that any attempt to compromise the voter registration process will invite stringent action.
