Amid row over Bihar SIR exercise, ECI doubles remuneration of BLOs, BLO Supervisors

Amid the ongoing row over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has increased the remuneration given to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and BLO Supervisors. The poll panel has also decided to award honorarium to Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) & Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs).

In a press note issued on Saturday, the poll panel acknowledged their role in preparing impartial and transparent electoral rolls. “Pure electoral rolls are the bedrock of democracy. The electoral roll machinery, consisting of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), BLO Supervisors and Booth Level Officers (BLOs), do a lot of hard work and play a pivotal role in the preparation of impartial and transparent electoral rolls,” the ECI said in the note.

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“The Commission has therefore decided to double the annual remuneration for BLOs & also enhanced the remuneration of BLO Supervisors involved in the preparation and revision of electoral rolls,” it added.

After the revision, BLOs will now get Rs 12,000 in remuneration, up from the earlier Rs 6,000. Their incentive for revision of electoral rolls has also been doubled from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. The remuneration for the BLO Supervisors has also been increased from Rs 12,000 to Rs 18,000.

Additionally, AEROs and EROs will receive a one-time honorarium of Rs 25,000 and Rs 30,000, respectively.

The poll panel has also announced a special incentive of Rs 6000 for BLOs for their work in the Special Intensive Revision exercise, starting from Bihar.

The ECI stated that the decision reflects its commitment to adequately compensating election personnel who work tirelessly at the field level to maintain accurate electoral rolls, assist voters, and strengthen the electoral process.