BLOs collect voter docus early to accelerate hearing process

PUNE: Booth-level officers (BLOs) have started collecting supporting documents from voters during home visits in cases involving discrepancies or gaps in previous-roll mapping, with door-to-door verification under Maharashtra’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls extended till Aug 17.Officials said the move was aimed at completing preliminary verification at the doorstep. “Collection of documents does not automatically exempt a voter from a hearing. The electoral registration officer (ERO) will decide whether a hearing is necessary after examining the documents,” a senior election official told TOI.The extension gives BLOs additional time to verify records, particularly in urban areas where migration and address changes have led to a higher number of cases requiring scrutiny. A Kothrud voter said her BLO collected her marriage certificate after identifying a need for further verification despite her having submitted the enumeration form. “I was told I may or may not be called for a hearing,” she said.A senior citizen from Kondhwa said he filled the enumeration form online and, after receiving an acknowledgement from the BLO, submitted his school leaving certificate and electricity bill. “The BLO said the documents were being collected as a precautionary measure for verification by higher authorities. If they are satisfied, a hearing may be avoided altogether or, if required, the process could be expedited. These are the same documents that would otherwise have to be produced during a hearing,” said the retired govt official.In another case, a 28-year-old IT professional submitted his PAN card. “They attached my document to the form. A hearing may still take place, but it may be a quicker process since the documents are already on record,” he said.BLOs said collecting documents during field visits helped authorities examine cases on the basis of documentary evidence before deciding on a hearing. “We are collecting documents wherever required and available. This helps complete verification at the field level,” a BLO said.Election officials said advance submission of documents could simplify the next stage of the process. “There have been several suggestions to simplify the hearing process, particularly for senior citizens and those who may be out of station. Documents collected in advance can help facilitate such cases,” a senior election official said.