Despite odds, booth-level officer in Kasaragod sets an example

As the voter list revision gets under way across the district, a booth-level officer (BLO) in Mogral Puthur is drawing wide attention for overcoming significant physical challenges to complete door-to-door verification on time. Hakeem Kambar, the BLO of Booth No. 8 in the Kasaragod constituency, travels across the booth area on a three-wheeled scooter, ensuring no household is left out of the electoral roll update.

BLOs, considered the backbone of the Election Commission’s field work, are responsible for adding, deleting, and correcting entries in the voter list and identifying new voters. The role requires extensive house visits across varied terrain and can be demanding even for those without mobility issues. Mr. Hakeem’s booth has 1,235 voters, and in the past six days, he has visited 175 of the 355 houses under his jurisdiction.

Despite mobility challenges, Mr. Hakeem carries out all required visits, verifies documents, distributes new voter ID cards, and handles related queries promptly. His steady presence in each neighbourhood, often along uneven village pathways, has made him a familiar and respected figure among residents and fellow officials. “Even before joining the service, I used to visit the houses of people and help them. It gave a lot of satisfaction. I don’t see this as a job, but as social service,” Mr. Hakeem said.

A staff member at the Manjeswaram Block Family Health Centre, Mr. Hakeem is known for similar efforts in the past. He once travelled across Kasaragod on his three-wheeler to raise awareness about the polio vaccine, an initiative for which Health Minister Veena George personally appreciated him.

Beyond his official duties, he serves as the area joint secretary of the Kerala NGO Union in Manjeswaram, the area secretary of the DAWF Organisation of Differently Abled Employees, and joint secretary of the Mogral Puthur Grama Granthalayam.

His work ethic and resolve send a strong message to both colleagues and the public about the power of commitment in public service.