The Election Commission is gearing up for a nationwide special intensive revision of electoral rolls, urging Chief Electoral Officers to train Booth Level Officers immediately. Political parties are also encouraged to appoint Booth Level Agents to ensure smooth implementation. This crucial exercise, set to begin soon, aims to update voter lists across India, with a focus on poll-bound states. Election Commission NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Thursday asked all chief electoral officers (CEOs) — particularly of states/UTs due for assembly polls next year — to start training booth level officers (BLOs) and urge the political parties to appoint adequate number of booth level agents (BLAs) ahead of the impending announcement of a staggered, pan-India special intensive revision (SIR) of their electoral rolls.These directions were given by EC on the concluding day of CEOs conference — presided over by chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the presence of election commissioners S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. The Commission on Thursday also held separate, one-on-one interactions with the CEOs of the five poll-bound states/UT — Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry — to understand any issues unique to them. The SIR process in these states/UT and a few others to be covered in the initial phase, is likely to stretch over three months, culminating with the publication of their final roll in January end or start of February.Having heard all CEOs at the two-day conference, on the progress of mapping of their electors with the roll published after the last intensive revision undertaken in 2003-2004 and also having clarified their queries on the SIR process, EC is set to hold internal deliberations over the next couple of days to finalise the pan-India SIR schedule.As reported by TOI on Wednesday, EC may announce the nationwide SIR exercise — covering the five poll-bound states/UT and a few others in the initial phase — within the next 3-4 days.Elaborating on the need for CEOs to start training BLOs immediately, a senior EC official said: “BLOs are a crucial link in the implementation of SIR”. The officer added that BLOs shall be updated on the processes to be followed, including distribution of enumeration forms and aiding the electors to sign and submit them, either physically or online. The mandatory requirement of making three visits to the electors’ addresses shall be emphasised during their daylong training.Also, given that EC is keen to hold the pan-India SIR with full involvement of the political parties, it has directed the state/UT CEOs to engage with the parties and encourage them to appoint BLAs. These BLAs may also be trained on aspects of SIR.Sources said it was explained to CEOs that any elector in their state/UT can easily be mapped with the 2003/04 roll of any state/UT as rolls of all states/UTs are now available in a digitised form.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Gave A Good Dose…’: Rajnath Singh Warns Pakistan From Rajasthan Border, Lauds Operation SindoorPolish FM Snubs Pak FM Ishaq Dar’s ‘Kashmir’ Rant, Issues Warning On Illegal Immigration’Had No Choice’: Hyderabad Man Duped On Pretext Of Job In Russia, Forced To Fight War In UkraineSurajbhan Singh Reveals Why He Left NDA To Join RJD And Contest From Mokama | Battle for BiharJaishankar To Represent India at ASEAN Summit As PM Modi Gives Chance To Meet Donald Trump a MissMumbai’s Arthur Road Jail Prepares Boutique-Style Cell For Fugitive Diamantaire Mehul Choksi’Drugged’ Sikh Truck Driver Behind Fiery Crash in California Reignites Illegal Immigration DebateTejashwi Yadav Named CM Face, BJP Retaliates with ‘Weak Alliance’ Remark at MahagathbandhanDGCA Plans New Rules For Power Banks On Flights After Fire Scare On IndiGo PlaneH-1B Visa Changes Explained: Indian Talent Could Gain Or Lose Depending On Policy123 Photostories THIS Prithviraj Sukumaran film took 16 years to make, flopped at the box officeEverything you should Know about pandasTop 5 retro boot trends you’ll see everywhere this fall 20257 most common signs of protein deficiency seen in men above 35Unforgettable Bollywood villains who defined evil8 must-try South Indian rice dishesHow to know if a diamond is natural or lab grown10 cutest animal smiles that will melt your heartFrom celebrating his first Diwali in his new house to holding a small pooja with GF Yogita: Inside Aaryamann Sethi’s Diwali celebrations with familyBihar Elections 2025: Stage set for Mahagathbandhan vs NDA; key fights to watch out for123Hot PicksDhanteras Gold PriceVande Bharat SleeperBihar Election 2025Gold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays OctoberBank Holidays OctoberTop Trendingjj mccarthy injuryStephen Curry WifePaige SpiranacDiddyAaron JonesPatrick MahomesNBA Gambling ScandalStephen Curry WifeChauncey BillupsTiago Splitter
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission on Thursday asked all chief electoral officers (CEOs) — particularly of states/UTs due for assembly polls next year — to start training booth level officers (BLOs) and urge the political parties to appoint adequate number of booth level agents (BLAs) ahead of the impending announcement of a staggered, pan-India special intensive revision (SIR) of their electoral rolls.These directions were given by EC on the concluding day of CEOs conference — presided over by chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in the presence of election commissioners S S Sandhu and Vivek Joshi. The Commission on Thursday also held separate, one-on-one interactions with the CEOs of the five poll-bound states/UT — Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry — to understand any issues unique to them. The SIR process in these states/UT and a few others to be covered in the initial phase, is likely to stretch over three months, culminating with the publication of their final roll in January end or start of February.Having heard all CEOs at the two-day conference, on the progress of mapping of their electors with the roll published after the last intensive revision undertaken in 2003-2004 and also having clarified their queries on the SIR process, EC is set to hold internal deliberations over the next couple of days to finalise the pan-India SIR schedule.As reported by TOI on Wednesday, EC may announce the nationwide SIR exercise — covering the five poll-bound states/UT and a few others in the initial phase — within the next 3-4 days.Elaborating on the need for CEOs to start training BLOs immediately, a senior EC official said: “BLOs are a crucial link in the implementation of SIR”. The officer added that BLOs shall be updated on the processes to be followed, including distribution of enumeration forms and aiding the electors to sign and submit them, either physically or online. The mandatory requirement of making three visits to the electors’ addresses shall be emphasised during their daylong training.Also, given that EC is keen to hold the pan-India SIR with full involvement of the political parties, it has directed the state/UT CEOs to engage with the parties and encourage them to appoint BLAs. These BLAs may also be trained on aspects of SIR.Sources said it was explained to CEOs that any elector in their state/UT can easily be mapped with the 2003/04 roll of any state/UT as rolls of all states/UTs are now available in a digitised form.