Punjab Chief Electoral Officer Mrs. Anindita Mitra today said that any form of misconduct or harassment against Booth Level Officers (BLOs) engaged in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise will not be tolerated. She said that incidents of misbehaviour with BLOs have been reported from Patiala and Barnala districts and the matter has been taken very seriously.
She informed that in Patiala, the Booth Level Officer for Booth No. 113, was assaulted by a resident of Anand Nagar, Patiala, after the BLO sought details in connection with the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Following the incident, Police Station Tripuri has registered an FIR against the accused under Sections 115(2), 351(3), 221 and 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
Mrs. Anindita Mitra further said that in another incident, Booth Level Officer for Booth No. 103 at Akalgarh Kothe in Dhanaula of Barnala district, was abused and assaulted by a resident during the Special Intensive Revision exercise. In this regard, Dhanaula Police Station has registered a case under Sections 132, 221 and 115(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The Chief Electoral Officer directed all District Election Officers across Punjab to ensure adequate safety and security arrangements for Booth Level Officers during the Special Intensive Revision exercise. She also appealed to all voters across the state to extend full cooperation to BLOs and ensure that such unfortunate incidents do not recur.