A search for BLOs during ECI’s special camps

The Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana on Monday (October 12, 2026) announced special camps on two days to ensure that no eligible voter is left out of electoral rolls: “As per the instructions of Election Commission of India, 33 DEOs of the State of Telangana have started a proactive campaign to ensure that No eligible elector is left from the electoral rolls,” stated a message on social media. October 15 and 16 were the designated days for the special camps at the 36,353 polling booths across the State.

But on the first day of the two-day camps, the Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were not to be found in the designated spots, including the BLO for Polling Booth number 206 is Rekha Nirgonda of Rajendranagar constituency. A visit to the Mandal Parishad Primary School, Erraboda — where the polling booth is supposed to be — was locked up as it is Dasara vacation. A call to the cellphone number went unanswered. “She can be found sitting with a table near the tree at the junction of Erraboda where autorickshaws are parked,” said a resident who lives near the school. A visit to the table near the tree turned up nothing. “She has not come today. These people wound up four days before the due date,” informed Srisailam, who runs a Kirana store. “Call Aruna, she is an anganwadi worker. She can help you,” he shares giving the number of Ms. Aruna. No luck. “Why don’t you go to Gandhi bomma (statue). Other BLOs will also be there. They can help,” Mr. Srisailam says helpfully.

Near the Gandhi Statue are two government officials deputed to function as BLOs of booth number 197 and 198. “You will have to fill up Form 6 and submit online,” says one of them. “Try to go to the school, you will find the BLO there. If you cannot find here, see if she is at the Maisamma Gudi near New Friends Colony,” says another. 

At the Maisamma Devalayam, built inside the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation Park, there is a table but no BLO. 

Incidentally, the CEO Telangana issued a press note on the evening of October 13 with a diktat to the staff. “The BLOs concerned shall remain present and the BLAs concerned will also be required to be present at the designated locations on the above said days (October 15, 16). But this has not come to pass.