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

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

Considered the backbone of the Electoral Commission’s field work, BLOs are responsible for adding, deleting, correcting entries to the voter list and identifying new voters. This role requires extensive home visits across a variety of terrains and can be challenging even for those without mobility issues. Mr Hakeem has 1,235 voters at his booth and has visited 175 of the 355 houses under his jurisdiction in the last six days.

Despite mobility challenges, Mr. Hakeem carries out all necessary visits, verifies documents, distributes new voter ID cards and quickly answers relevant questions. His steady presence in every neighborhood along often bumpy country roads made him a familiar and respected figure among residents and other officials. Mr. Hakeem said, “Even before I joined the service, I was visiting people’s homes and helping them. This was very satisfying. I do not see it as a job, but as social service.”

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

Beyond his official duties, he serves as district joint secretary of Kerala NGO Association in Manjeswaram, district secretary of DAWF Differently Disabled Employees Organization and joint secretary of Mogral Puthur Grama Granthalayam.

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