Bengaluru, June 19 (IANS) The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has urged the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Karnataka to establish a structured mechanism allowing elected representatives to interact with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

In a representation submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer, Congress leader Ramesh Babu sought clarification and appropriate directions regarding the role of Members of Parliament (MPs), Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) in raising voter-related issues with BLOs and election officials during the revision process.

Referring to Section 13B(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, he noted that BLOs are entrusted with statutory responsibilities related to electoral roll revision, voter verification, collection of enumeration forms and other duties assigned by the Election Commission of India.

Ramesh Babu, who is the Congress Media and Communication Department Chairman and Legislative Council Member, stated that while BLOs play a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and completeness of electoral rolls, public representatives frequently receive complaints and feedback from voters regarding non-receipt of enumeration forms, omissions from voter lists, errors in entries and difficulties faced by vulnerable sections of society.

He argued that there is a need for a transparent and structured mechanism through which elected representatives can interact with BLOs and supervisory election officials for limited and specific purposes. These include reporting instances where eligible voters have not received enumeration forms, highlighting omissions of senior citizens, persons with disabilities, migrant workers, women and marginalised communities from electoral rolls, facilitating awareness about SIR procedures and timelines, addressing logistical issues affecting voter enumeration, and ensuring that no eligible voter is left out of the revision process.

According to the representation, such interaction would help strengthen electoral inclusion and public confidence in the revision process while remaining fully within the framework of electoral laws.

At the same time, Ramesh Babu emphasised that BLOs must remain completely non-partisan and continue to function independently in accordance with the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, and the directions of the Election Commission of India.

He clarified that any interaction between public representatives and BLOs should be limited to voter-service and grievance-related matters and should not influence the statutory decision-making powers of election officials.

In his representation, Ramesh Babu requested the Chief Electoral Officer to issue suitable instructions permitting elected representatives to engage with BLOs and election officials on voter-service issues arising during the SIR process. He also sought a transparent mechanism for such interactions, including meetings facilitated through Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) wherever necessary.

Further, he urged election authorities to direct field-level officials to receive and examine representations concerning omitted voters, non-distribution of enumeration forms and other genuine grievances brought to their notice by public representatives.

He also requested that BLOs be directed to make all reasonable efforts to reach every eligible elector and facilitate the submission of enumeration forms so that no voter is inadvertently excluded from the electoral roll revision process.

Ramesh Babu stated that the proposed measures would help ensure comprehensive electoral roll coverage, strengthen public participation and promote the objective of a free, fair, inclusive and transparent electoral revision process.

He urged the Chief Electoral Officer to consider the representation and issue appropriate directions in the interest of ensuring that no eligible voter is left behind.

–IANS

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