The District Administration of Chümoukedima has organized a special summary revision for BLOs from Chümoukedima, Niuland, and Medziphema districts on 19th August 2024 at the DPDB Hall, DC Office, Chümoukedima.
During the meeting, DC Chümoukedima, Polan John, NCS, stated that over the years the ECI has introduced new initiatives, programs, and activities to manage the electoral process. One of the most successful initiatives has been the concept of BLOs, introduced in 2006, which has since become an integral part of election management. He emphasized that the role of the BLO is crucial in setting up election management. ECI provides new directives, so officers must stay updated with the latest instructions and parameters and be tech-savvy to handle apps, as everything is managed online or through portals.
He noted that having a clean electoral roll is imperative for conducting fair elections; it must be accurate and up-to-date to reflect the factual details for all voters. This summary revision presents an opportunity to cleanse the electoral system by rectifying facts, deleting transferred or expired entries, and updating new eligible voters. Although the Election Commission or CEO may provide multiple instructional booklets, it is ultimately the responsibility of the BLO to implement these instructions properly at the grassroots level.
DC John asserted that now that all information is accessible online, the performance of the BLO can be monitored on the dashboard. He urged the concerned officers to responsibly carry out their assignments and avoid being complacent during the summary revision, ensuring that the electoral process is strictly followed and conducted smoothly.
He also highlighted the need to address issues of roll registration and gender disparity, which must be cross-checked. As the primary interface with the public, BLOs need to be forthcoming and responsive in assisting and guiding them. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of conducting a thorough house-to-house survey and requested all BLOs to visit each household to ascertain the actual status of residents under their jurisdiction. He reminded the BLOs that personal preferences should not interfere with their official work or lead to misuse of their privileges; they should remain neutral, impartial, and transparent. In conclusion, the DC encouraged everyone to work together to ensure an error-free and healthy electoral roll, which will improve the election management process.
ADC Chümoukedima Dr Kuzonyi Wideo and ADC Medziphema also highlighted the activities and role of the BLOs.