ECI hikes pay for booth-level officers to strengthen electoral roll management

New Delhi

In a major move to boost the efficiency of electoral roll management, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a substantial increase in remuneration for Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and key field personnel, while introducing honorariums for Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) for the first time.

The Commission emphasized that the field-level electoral workforce is the bedrock of democracy, ensuring transparency and impartiality in the preparation of electoral rolls. The electoral roll machinery, comprising EROs, AEROs, BLO Supervisors, and BLOs, works with dedication and diligence to ensure impartial and accurate electoral rolls, the ECI said in a statement issued on Saturday.

According to the revised structure, BLOs will now receive Rs 12,000—double the previous Rs 6,000—while their incentive for electoral roll revision has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. BLO supervisors will see their remuneration rise from Rs 12,000 to Rs 18,000.

The ECI noted that the last remuneration revision took place in 2015 and said the step acknowledges the crucial role of on-ground staff in maintaining the credibility of the electoral process.