BLO Stamp Rule: Is Stamps Mandatory for BLOs? Big Update Regarding Election Commission New Notification

BLO Stamp Rule: Under the supervision of the Election Commission, the revision of electoral rolls and enumeration work is continuously ongoing across the country, including West Bengal. The backbone of this entire process is the Booth Level Officer (BLO). They visit households to collect data and accept necessary forms. Recently, confusion arose between the general public and BLOs regarding the issuance of receipt copies while submitting these enumeration forms. To clear this confusion, the Election Commission has issued a new and important notification.

It came to the notice of the Election Commission that there was an inconsistency regarding the use of stamps by BLOs on the receipt copies during the voter list revision process. In some places, BLOs were using stamps, while in others, they were not. This discrepancy raised questions in the minds of ordinary voters, necessitating a clear answer.

Why was this new notification issued?

During field operations, it was observed that many BLOs were using a rubber stamp along with their signature on the receipt copy. These stamps usually mentioned the Assembly Constituency number, Part number, and the BLO’s designation. On the other hand, many BLOs were simply signing and returning the receipt copy to the voter without using any stamp.

This difference created a misconception among general voters. Those who did not receive a stamped receipt copy felt that their form might not have been submitted correctly or validly. As a result, BLOs often faced questions from the public, leading to unnecessary negative reactions or arguments. To resolve this issue, the Election Commission has brought forward clear guidelines.

What does the Election Commission guideline say?

In this new notification, the matter has been explained very clearly for both BLOs and voters. The key points of the guideline are discussed below:

1. Use of Stamp is Not Mandatory:
The Election Commission has explicitly stated that the use of rubber stamps by BLOs on the receipt copy of the enumeration form is not mandatory. This means that if a BLO does not provide a stamp, they are not violating any rules. It is completely an optional matter.

2. Signature on Receipt Copy is Must:
Although the stamp is optional, the signature of the BLO on the receipt copy is mandatory. After accepting the form, the BLO must sign it and return that copy to the voter as proof. Even without a stamp, if the signature is present, the receipt copy will be considered 100% valid.

3. Actions for Voters and BLOs:

• For BLOs: Those who do not have stamps or are not using them need not worry. Handing over the receipt copy with a signature fulfills the duty.
• For Voters: If your receipt copy does not have the BLO’s stamp but has a signature, do not panic unnecessarily. Your application has been accepted correctly.

Role of Political Parties in Raising Awareness

The Election Commission has not stopped at just instructing government officials; it has also called upon political parties to come forward to raise awareness among the common people. The directive states that all political parties should disseminate this correct information to general voters through their Booth Level Agents (BLA). This ensures there is no misunderstanding during the submission of forms.

Summary of the Guidelines at a Glance:

In conclusion, this step by the Election Commission will speed up work at the field level and help maintain a relationship of trust between BLOs and voters. Therefore, there is no need to worry if you do not see a stamp on the receipt copy; just ensure the signature is present.