Pune: Election authorities across the state have begun cracking down on booth-level officers (BLOs) for deliberate absenteeism, repeated non-compliance with official directions and wilful negligence during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Such dereliction of election duty will invite strict legal and disciplinary action, officials added.District administrations have been directed to closely monitor the drive and initiate prompt action against officials failing to discharge their responsibilities.In Pune district, two FIRs were registered against BLOs from Wadgaon Sheri after they allegedly failed to report for election duty despite repeated orders and notices, election officials said. Electoral registration officers filed the cases to enforce accountability during the revision exercise.Pune district collector Jitendra Dudi said, ”We have seen many BLOs going beyond the call of duty to carry out the SIR exercise, and we appreciate their efforts. However, wherever lapses or dereliction of duty are found, electoral registration officers are registering FIRs.”In Solapur, an FIR was registered against a BLO, under Section 134 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951. Officials said the officer failed to complete the assigned SIR work despite repeated directions. Supervisors were unable to contact him since his cellphone remained switched off, while visits to his residence and office proved futile. A show-cause notice issued on July 1 allegedly went unanswered, prompting criminal proceedings.Police cases were recently registered against seven BLOs in Jalgaon for repeatedly delaying electoral roll revision work despite instructions from senior officials. District administrations in Nashik and Jalna have also taken up proceedings against BLOs found neglecting SIR responsibilities.Election officials acknowledged that the exercise has increased the workload of BLOs and the focus would be on timely completion of the exercise rather than penalising officers facing genuine operational difficulties.“The genuineness of the situation should be considered before registering any FIR. Nobody wants to shirk work, but if there are genuine difficulties, those should be taken into account,” a BLO said.Others said the increased workload has put many officials under considerable stress. “There have been reports from across the country of BLOs dying by suicide due to work-related pressure. Nobody should be subjected to such pressure or stress,” the official said.
