ECI Adds ‘Mark VIP’ Feature To BLO App During SIR; How The Module Works

The Election Commission of India (ECI) introduced a “Mark VIP” feature in the BLO App used by booth-level officers (BLOs) during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls across 16 states and three Union territories, according to a Hindustan Times report.

Officials at the Delhi chief electoral officer’s (CEO) office said the app was updated on July 30 with the new feature. The Apple App Store’s version history records the change under version 2.94, released on August 4, with the description “Mark VIP elector related changes”.

HT reported that the Delhi CEO’s office said it cannot independently modify the app or its software and that instructions come from the Election Commission. The ECI did not respond to HT’s queries on the purpose of the feature or the authority under which it was introduced.

Feature Was Not Available During Bengal SIR

The “Mark VIP” module was introduced after the SIR exercise in West Bengal began in November 2025, according to BLOs cited in the report.

BLOs in Delhi and Haryana told HT that the module was active on their apps. A member of the West Bengal BLO association said the feature was not available during the state’s SIR and was introduced more than a month ago.

The development comes amid scrutiny over the treatment of prominent voters in Delhi, several of whom received logical discrepancy notices during the SIR process.

VIP Marking Already Exists In EC Rules

The practice of identifying certain voters as “marked electors” predates the new app feature. The Election Commission’s electoral-roll manual provides for flagging categories including MPs, MLAs and MLCs, holders of declared offices, members of the judiciary and public services, and personalities from fields such as arts, culture, journalism and sports.

The rules provide for such electors to be included in the draft electoral roll and facilitated during the claims and objections process.

In Delhi, an official cited by HT said there are around 3,000 VIP electors, while another official estimated that around 1,000 are in the New Delhi district.

How The ‘Mark VIP’ Module Works

According to officials cited by HT, a BLO can mark an elector as a VIP after visiting the voter’s residence. The marking is then subject to scrutiny by the Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO), Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) and, subsequently, the Delhi chief electoral officer’s office.

A BLO in Kalkaji told HT that the feature was intended to identify VIP voters and ensure their forms were processed without difficulty.

An official said BLOs have traditionally been provided lists of VIP voters or voters belonging to specific age groups to facilitate them during elections.

The Election Commission’s app version history confirms that the BLO App received a “Mark VIP elector related changes” update during the SIR period.

VIP Status Does Not Exempt Voters From Notices

Officials cited by HT said marking an elector as a VIP does not make the person immune from claims, objections or discrepancy notices.

However, according to the officials, marked electors are expected to be facilitated during the process and may not be required to appear at hearing centres in the same manner as other voters.

The issue has attracted attention because the new app feature was introduced while the SIR was underway in several states and amid controversy over notices issued to prominent voters in Delhi. The ECI has not publicly explained, in the material cited by HT, why the new feature was introduced during the ongoing exercise.