In Gujarat, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is taking significant steps to improve the voting experience for citizens. In the last 100 days, ECI has launched 21 new initiatives aimed at streamlining election management and enhancing voter convenience. These initiatives include procedural reforms, training programs, and partnerships with stakeholders involved in the electoral process. This proactive approach comes during the first 100 days of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s term, which began with a vision to rejuvenate the ECI.
One of the key changes implemented is the reduction of the maximum number of voters per polling station from 1,500 to 1,200. This is particularly beneficial in densely populated areas like gated communities and high-rise colonies, where additional polling stations will be established. The aim is to ensure that no voter has to travel more than 2 kilometers to cast their vote.
The design of voter information slips has also been updated to provide clearer details, emphasizing the serial and part numbers for better clarity. To further enhance convenience, mobile deposit facilities will be set up at the entrances of all polling stations. Additionally, candidates can now place their booths 100 meters away from the polling station entrance, as opposed to the previous distance of 200 meters.
To simplify access to information, ECI has developed an integrated dashboard called ECINET. This platform consolidates over 40 existing applications and websites into a single point of access for all stakeholders. Some modules of ECINET will be available during the upcoming by-elections, with full functionality expected by the time of the Bihar Legislative Assembly elections.
Another critical initiative is the direct integration of death registration data from the Registrar General of India. This will allow for timely removal of deceased voters from the electoral rolls, ensuring that the lists are accurate. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will continue to play a vital role in this verification process, with updates made following field-level checks.
In line with the Representation of the People Act of 1950, ECI has also initiated a special brief voter list updating program ahead of the upcoming by-elections. This is the first of its kind undertaken before a by-election in India.
To strengthen engagement with political stakeholders, ECI has organized 4,719 meetings across the country with over 28,000 representatives from various political parties. This includes meetings at the Chief Election Officer (CEO) level and consultations with leaders from recognized political parties like AAP, BJP, BSP, CPI(M), and NPP.
Training programs for Booth Level Officers and Supervisors have been expanded, with over 3,500 personnel trained at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM). The goal is to train more than 100,000 BLOs and supervisors in the coming years, who will then train over 1.5 million workers in the extensive BLO network.
By mid-July this year, approximately 6,000 additional BLOs and supervisors will be trained in around 20 batches, focusing particularly on states like Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, West Bengal, Kerala, and Assam, which are set to hold elections soon.
All BLOs will receive certified photo ID cards to improve identification. Political party representatives will also receive training, with initial batches from states like Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry already completing their sessions at IIIDEM.
Additionally, ECI has organized orientation programs for media officers to enhance the quality and regularity of public communications. Training sessions for police officers in Bihar have also been conducted.
A comprehensive training framework has been developed for 28 categories of stakeholders involved in the election process, based on laws and guidelines related to voter registration and electoral conduct. This training will also be conducted at IIIDEM.
ECI has implemented biometric attendance at its headquarters and activated the e-office system to improve internal coordination and operational efficiency. Regular review meetings at the CEO level have also started.
Lastly, ECI has convened a national council representing lawyers from 28 high courts and various states to discuss challenges and enhance the legal framework governing elections in India. These measures aim to ensure that the electoral process remains fair, free, and efficient for all voters in Gujarat and beyond.
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