MARGAO
With political parties crying foul over some Booth Level Officers (BLOs) acting as agents of MLAs and are found at the residence of ministers during the ongoing summary revision of electoral rolls, Election Commission appointed roll officer Sanjay Kumar has said he has taken cognizance of the complaints and has promised to verify these and initiate action.
The roll officer further said that the law does not give any discretion to any officer during the summary revision, saying what is stated the law is required to be implemented in toto.
The roll officer’s observation on the role of BLOs assumes significance as representatives of the political parties, including Goa Forward had complained during the meeting that BLOs have become the agents of MLAs and ministers.
Saying that he had received complaints that number of applications for the addition and deletion of names are high, Kumar made it clear that the rules do not give any discretion to the officers handling the summary revision.
After a meeting with the representatives of political parties and the election officials at the South Goa District Collectorate, the Roll Officer made a fervent plea to the younger generation to register their names on the electoral roll during the summary revision.
Promising to verify the complaints, Kumar said the law needs to be implemented in both letter and spirit, saying the law does not give discretion to the officers.
On voting rights for the migrants, the officer said that migrants can register their names on the electoral roll, but added that they will have to go for cancellation of their electoral card in their native states.
He further pointed out that the Election Commission has come out with technology to do with duplication of electoral cards.
Meanwhile, Goa Forward Vice-president Durgadas Kamat has said that he has lodged a complaint with the Roll Officer that BLOs are mostly found at the residences of the ruling MLAs and ministers during the summary revision.
Saying that it has been brought to their notice that around 40 names are in the process of being added to the electoral roll from a single house, Kamat has warned that the GF will not sit quiet and watch the situation, saying the matter will be taken up with the Election Commission.
