Blo App Update: Confusion over New Option in BLO App: Election Commission Yet to Issue Guidelines for Staff

Blo App Update: The ongoing process of voter list revision across the state has hit a stumbling block due to sudden technical updates. Amidst the busy schedule of the Special Summary Revision (SIR), a new feature added to the Election Commission’s BLO (Booth Level Officer) App has created significant confusion among government employees assigned to election duties.

Sudden Appearance of New Option

From Thursday morning, many BLOs noticed a new menu option flashing on their official app interface. The option is labeled “Documents Uploaded by Citizen Against Hearing”. Typically, before any major update or feature addition to such critical administrative tools, the Commission releases detailed guidelines or a ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ (SOP). However, employees report that this change appeared without any prior notification or instructional manual.

Lack of Guidelines Creates Uncertainty

While the feature is visible in the app, the staff remains in the dark regarding its practical application. The primary questions troubling BLOs and supervisors include:

• Scope of Work: Are BLOs required to verify these uploaded documents manually?
• Hearing Process: If verification is needed, does the BLO need to be physically present during the voter’s hearing?
• Role of Higher Authorities: Even local Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) reportedly lack clear directives on this matter, leaving them unable to guide their subordinates effectively.

Connection to Voter Portal Update

The source of this confusion likely stems from a development the previous day. On Wednesday, the Election Commission launched a new facility on the voter portal for citizens. This feature allows individuals to check if any hearing notice has been issued against their name or application.

Experts speculate that if a citizen uploads documents in response to a hearing notice on the portal, those documents are meant to be reflected in this new section of the BLO App. However, without clarity on the workflow, the link between the citizen’s action and the BLO’s responsibility remains ambiguous.

Demands from Employee Unions

There is a growing concern that this confusion might slow down the pace of the revision work. Organizations like the West Bengal State Government Employees Federation and the BLO Oikyamancha have expressed deep concern over the issue. They have demanded that the Election Commission immediately issue clear and detailed guidelines to resolve this ambiguity. Clearing this technical and administrative haze is crucial to ensuring that employees can complete the voter list revision task accurately and smoothly.