New Delhi, May 29 (HS): In the 100 days since Gyanesh Kumar became the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), the Election Commission of India (ECI) has instituted 21 initiatives to enhance electoral processes and improve voter experience. These initiatives aim to streamline election management and ensure accessibility for voters. Key achievements during this period include reducing the maximum voter count at polling stations from 1,500 to 1,200, with additional booths planned for densely populated areas to ensure no voter travels more than 2 kilometers to vote. The redesign of the voter information slip aims for better clarity, and mobile deposit facilities will be available at polling station entrances. Candidates' booths can now be set up within 100 meters of polling stations, and a new integrated dashboard, ECI Net, has been launched for better access to services, with certain modules ready for upcoming by-elections.
The ECI is integrating deceased voter registration data with the Registrar General of India to ensure timely updates to electoral rolls, with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) playing a vital role. A special summary revision has taken place ahead of the by-elections, marking a first-time effort for this timely revision. Additionally, the ECI has coordinated 4,719 meetings with over 28,000 political representatives to foster regular interactions. Training for over 3,500 BLOs and supervisors has occurred, and plans are in place to train about 6,000 more by mid-July, focusing especially on states with upcoming assembly elections. Standardized photo identity cards will be issued to all BLOs, and specific training sessions for media and police officials in Bihar have been held.
Other notable reforms include biometric attendance, an e-office system activation, legal advisor conferences, and ongoing review meetings at the CEO level. Overall, the ECI’s initiatives encompass numerous reforms aimed at modernizing and enhancing the electoral process, improving stakeholder communication, and building capacity among election-related personnel.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
