Marking 'VIPs' routine, was part of SSR even before SIR: Officials

NEW DELHI: EC, which is reeling under allegations of faultlines among its members, is now being questioned over a software update recently made in the application used by booth level officers, with its description on the Apple app store reading "mark VIP elector-related changes".EC sources told TOI Friday the instruction to BLOs on "flagging of marked electors" was a standard instruction, which was part of all three special intensive revision orders approved by the commission.The instruction to field officers to "mark" prominent electors in their jurisdictional areas has figured in EC's instructions for all special summary revisions, well before SIR was conceived, they said. For instance, Para 20 of the SSR exercise ordered by EC on May 29, 2023, with Jan 1, 2024, as the qualifying date, directed the "flagging of marked electors, viz MP/MLA/MLC, holders of declared offices and personalities from fields of arts, culture, journalism, sports, members of judiciary and public services, etc". Para 21 said the electoral registration officers were to ensure that the names were in the proposed draft roll.The same instruction was reiterated in the SIR order for Bihar dated June 24, 2025, and the orders for SIR Phase 2 and 3.Nowhere in the SIR or SSR instructions has the terminology 'VIP' been used. "It somehow made it to the app description," an officer said. EC officials said the BLO app software update was meant to help such prominent persons "marked" in the electoral database by flagging any notices served and enabling the proof furnished by them to be uploaded on the app without delay.Meanwhile, EC sources said the postponement of the electoral literacy club conferences in UP had nothing to do with the row and the decision was made on Sept 21.On reports alleging annual confidential reports were held up due to differences between commission members, EC officials said such delays were not unusual. TOI has further learnt there have been few full commission meetings in the past few months.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.