Central forces to assist BLOs for verifying documents during elections, announces EC

The Election Commission has introduced an expanded booth-level security protocol for the upcoming polls, assigning security personnel responsibilities that go beyond maintaining order inside the voting premises. Under the new system, security forces will assist Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in verifying voters’ documents, checking names on the voter list, and monitoring movement within 100 metres of every booth.

According to the guidelines, each BLO will sit at a designated table at the booth entrance, where voters must confirm their identity and produce the required documents before entering to cast their vote. Two security personnel will remain stationed beside the BLO to oversee the verification process and ensure smooth queue management.

The Commission has also set up a separate mechanism for collecting and storing voters’ mobile phones outside the booth. With no state police allowed within the 100-metre radius, security personnel will exclusively manage voting lines and the entire outdoor periphery of the booth premises.

Army personnel will play a crucial new role in both phases of voting at 80,719 booths across the state, marking one of the most extensive security deployments in recent elections.