Udupi: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Swaroopa T K has warned that strict action will be taken against any Booth Level Officer (BLO) found negligent in carrying out duties related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll if complaints are received by the district administration.

She was speaking at the monthly interactive programme on the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral roll organised by the Udupi District Working Journalists’ Association in association with the Udupi Press Club Committee at the Udupi Press Club on Friday, July 10.

Draft electoral roll to be published on August 5

Addressing concerns over the ongoing revision process, DC Swaroopa T K clarified that the draft electoral roll under the Special Intensive Revision will be published on August 5.

She said that only those whose names are missing from the draft electoral roll will be required to submit any one of the 11 prescribed supporting documents.

Citizens whose names already appear in the draft roll will not be required to furnish any documents, she clarified.

BLOs instructed to visit every household

The Deputy Commissioner said Booth Level Officers have been repeatedly instructed to visit every household to distribute and collect enumeration forms as part of the revision exercise.

She revealed that notices have already been issued to BLOs who have been slow in carrying out their responsibilities.

Warning of disciplinary action, she said that any complaints regarding negligence or failure to perform duties by BLOs would be taken seriously by the district administration.

Opportunity to rectify omissions and discrepancies

The DC explained that if a person’s name is omitted from the draft electoral roll despite submitting the required enumeration form, the individual can file another application using the acknowledgment copy received at the time of submission.

She also said that voters whose names or other particulars contain discrepancies will receive notices from the authorities and will be required to submit supporting documents to facilitate the necessary corrections.

Swaroopa T K assured citizens that names included in the draft electoral roll would not be deleted from the final electoral roll under any circumstances.

She added that the final electoral roll will be published on October 7.

Officials and volunteers deployed to assist voters

To address public confusion regarding the revision process and the prescribed forms, the district administration has appointed officials at the taluk level to assist citizens.

Volunteers have also been deployed at polling booths to help voters complete the process. These volunteers will remain available even on Sundays to provide assistance.

Citizens facing issues with Booth Level Officers have been advised to contact the respective sector officers or the tahsildar over the phone to register their complaints.

Association magazine released

On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner released the June edition of the association’s magazine, ‘Sanmati’.

Association General Secretary Nazir Polya welcomed the gathering, while State Committee Member Astro Mohan proposed the vote of thanks. Journalist Rahim Ujire compered the programme.

The event was presided over by Association President Subrahmanya G Kurya. District Information Officer Manjunath, Association District Treasurer Harish Kundar, and Udupi Press Club Committee Joint Coordinator Ganesh Kaliyanpur were also present.