TFP Bureau, Raipur, May 29, 2025: In a major stride toward strengthening democratic processes, the Election Commission of India (ECI) launched the eighth edition of its nationwide training programme at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi. The session, which began today, marks the largest training batch to date with 373 electoral officers in attendance, including 96 from Chhattisgarh.
The two-day training aims to equip Booth Level Officers (BLOs), BLO Supervisors, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and District Election Officers (DEOs) from four states — Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana — with updated knowledge and practical skills for conducting fair and efficient elections.
Inaugurating the session, Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar emphasized the crucial role of ground-level election officials in maintaining the transparency, integrity, and legality of the electoral system. “Transparency and efficiency are the twin pillars of electoral success. Familiarity with legal frameworks and digital tools is essential for every election officer,” he said.
This session includes 118 officers from Uttar Pradesh, 130 from Madhya Pradesh, 96 from Chhattisgarh, and 29 from Haryana. Over the past two months, more than 3,720 field election officers across India have undergone training as part of this initiative.
Shri Kumar highlighted the need for thorough knowledge of key legal instruments such as the Representation of the People Acts of 1950 and 1951, the Electoral Registration Rules of 1960, and the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961. He urged officials to acquaint themselves with appeals processes under Sections 24(a) and 24(b) of the RP Act and advised them to raise public awareness about these provisions during voter verification.
Officials from Chhattisgarh were praised for their diligence, with the state reporting zero appeals following the Special Summary Revision (SSR) conducted from January 6–10, 2025 — a sign of vigilant and systematic fieldwork.
The training program focuses on practical aspects of voter registration, form management, and election procedures. It also features technical modules on Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPAT), and mock polling exercises. Special attention is being given to the use of IT tools and data management systems to enhance transparency and accuracy in the electoral process.
Chhattisgarh’s strong participation in this landmark training underscores its commitment to upholding the highest standards of democratic governance. The knowledge and skills gained by the participants are expected to translate into more efficient, transparent, and error-free elections in the state and beyond.
