Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced 28 new initiatives in the past six months to strengthen transparency, fairness, and efficiency in the electoral process. These measures aim not only to simplify voting but also to increase voter confidence across the country.
Dialogue with Political Parties
Over 4,700 all-party meetings were organized nationwide, engaging nearly 28,000 leaders. Additionally, 20 consultations were held with senior leaders of national and regional parties to address electoral challenges and strengthen the system.
Strengthening the Election System
Out of 476 unrecognized parties, 334 were de-listed. The responsibilities of all 28 stakeholders were clearly defined, and every Booth Level Officer (BLO) was provided with an official ID. To enhance credibility, 5% of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be randomly checked post-results. The commission also organized a national meeting of legal experts and chief election officers and shared insights with global election bodies.
Technology Empowering Elections
A new digital platform, ECINET, was launched, integrating over 40 apps and websites. Live webcasting was arranged at all polling stations, while voter turnout updates were provided every two hours on polling days. All election-related data and reports will now be digitally accessible. In case of discrepancies, VVPAT slips will be mandatorily verified.
Improvement in Voter Lists
Special campaigns in Bihar and other regions were conducted to update voter lists. For the first time in 20 years, revisions were carried out before by-elections. Integration with death registration data helped remove deceased voters’ names. Every voter will now be issued a unique EPIC number, with new cards delivered within 15 days along with SMS notifications.
Simplifying the Voting Process
Voters will now be allowed to keep mobile phones outside polling booths. Each booth will accommodate a maximum of 1,200 voters. Voter information slips (VIS) have been redesigned for clarity, and candidates can now set up booths only at a minimum distance of 100 meters from polling stations.
Training and Administrative Reforms
More than 7,000 BLOs and supervisors received training. The honorarium of BLOs was doubled, while EROs and AEROs received payments for the first time. Booth-level agents, media officials, and police personnel were also trained. Administrative upgrades included biometric attendance, adoption of e-office systems, and improved facilities at ECI offices.
