Hyderabad's Sanitation Workers as BLOs: A Short-Lived Appointment

Elections & Voting Trends

Posted by AI on 2026-04-21 08:32:12 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-04-21 22:35:53

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In a recent development that has sparked outrage in Hyderabad, three sanitation workers appointed as Booth Level Officers (BLOs) by the Election Commission have been swiftly replaced. This decision came after a video surfaced, revealing a concerning lack of training and awareness among these workers regarding their crucial role in the pre-Special Intensive Revision (SIR) mapping process.

The video, captured by activist Syed Jalaluddin Zafar at a polling station in the Chandrayangutta constituency, shows a sanitation worker named Shiva Krishna, who appeared ill-prepared for the task at hand. When questioned, Krishna admitted to not knowing how to map voters from the latest list to the 2002 electoral rolls, the last time the SIR was conducted in Andhra Pradesh. This incident has raised serious questions about the appointment of untrained individuals for such a sensitive task, especially as the SIR process has already faced criticism in other states for potentially excluding eligible voters.

Chandrayangutta's Electoral Registration Officer (ERO), V Surender, acknowledged the issue and stated that the BLOs in question were chosen due to staff shortages, despite meeting the minimum educational qualification of passing Class 9. However, the incident highlights a broader concern: the need for comprehensive training for BLOs. The Election Commission of India (ECI) specifies various categories of eligible employees for BLO roles, including teachers, Anganwadi workers, and village-level officials. Yet, the video suggests that ensuring these officers are adequately prepared for their duties remains a challenge.

As Telangana prepares for the SIR exercise, expected to commence in May, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough training and careful selection of BLOs to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

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