Thiruvananthapuram: Resentment is brewing among Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Kerala following the government’s decision to fix a modest honorarium of ₹2,000 for their services during the recent comprehensive voter list revision.
The remuneration is intended to compensate officers for a grueling five-month work period that began in October last year and concluded in February 2026. The BLOs, who form the backbone of the grassroots electoral machinery, are reportedly disheartened by the discrepancy between the workload and the payment.
Extensive Workload Under Scrutiny
The revision process involved several high-intensity tasks designed to ensure the integrity of the electoral roll. According to reports, the ₹2,000 payment covers a wide range of responsibilities, including:
- House-to-House Visits: Conducting physical verifications and enumeration across all households in their respective booths.
- Form Distribution: Distributing and collecting enumeration forms from residents.
- Data Compilation: Adding new details, correcting existing information, and preparing the updated draft list.
- Hearing Procedures: Assisting in the legal hearing processes for claims and objections.
Rising Discontent
The BLO community, which largely consists of school teachers and government employees, has termed the amount “insulting” given the duration and nature of the work. Many have pointed out that the five-month period required working outside of regular office hours and during holidays to meet the Election Commission’s strict deadlines.
”The amount does not even cover the basic travel expenses incurred during the house-to-house enumeration phase,” stated a representative of the BLO coordination committee.
Protest on the Horizon
As the news of the fixed remuneration spread, protests have gained momentum across various districts, particularly in the capital. While the Election Commission of India (ECI) has previously discussed doubling annual remunerations, the specific incentive for this “Special Intensive Revision” (SIR) phase has left the local officers feeling undervalued.
Sources indicate that various unions are planning to submit a formal memorandum to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Kerala, demanding a fair revision of the honorarium that reflects the current economic reality and the labor-intensive nature of the task.
