THE AMAN SANDESH TIMES
New Delhi :
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has unveiled three major initiatives aimed at improving the accuracy of electoral rolls and enhancing the voter experience. These measures were announced following the Conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) held in March this year, under the guidance of Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar and in the presence of Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi.
1. Electronic Access to Death Registration Data
In a significant move to maintain clean and updated electoral rolls, the ECI will now electronically obtain death registration data from the Registrar General of India. This initiative aligns with Rule 9 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 and Section 3(5)(b) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, as amended in 2023. By enabling Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to receive timely updates, the new system will eliminate delays caused by the previous manual process. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will also be able to verify the information in the field without waiting for formal Form 7 submissions.
2. Standard Photo Identity Cards for BLOs
To improve public trust and facilitate smoother voter interactions, the Commission has mandated that all BLOs be issued standardised photo identity cards. Appointed under Section 13B(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, BLOs serve as the primary link between the public and the ECI during registration and verification processes. The new ID cards will make BLOs easily recognizable during house-to-house visits and other official duties, ensuring better coordination with voters.
3. Redesigned Voter Information Slips
To enhance accessibility and ease of use, the Commission has also redesigned the Voter Information Slips (VIS). The updated slips will feature larger font sizes for critical details like the voter’s serial number and part number. This change aims to help voters quickly identify their polling stations and streamline the process for polling officials to locate names in the electoral rolls.
These forward-looking steps reflect the ECI’s ongoing commitment to strengthening democratic processes and ensuring a seamless electoral experience for every Indian citizen.
