Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : The Election Commission of India (ECI) on November 22, 2021, held a conference with the Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all States/UTs in New Delhi to discuss and review various thematic issues related to Electoral Roll, Polling Stations, ongoing Special Summary Revision, IT Applications, timely resolution of grievances, EVMs/VVPATs, training and capacity building of polling staff, media and communication, and extensive voter outreach programme.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sushil Chandra, in his address, stressed on the significance of effectiveness and visibility of CEOs saying they represent the Commission in the States. He asked CEOs to ensure purity of the electoral roll, availability of Assured Minimum Facilities, and better facilities at all Polling Booths for all voters. He asked them for expeditious redressal of all pending applications especially with regard to voter registration. He reiterated that all efforts should be made to ensure better voter experience in reality and added that the CEOs should have regular interaction with political parties to redress their grievances, if any, according to a PIB release.
CEC Sushil Chandra said added that the objective of this conference is to identify the gaps and challenges to ensure instructions of the Commission are implemented uniformly in all States /UTs across the country. He also emphasised that new initiatives and best practices by the CEOs for election related activities should be regularly disseminated through media for enhanced outreach.
Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar while interacting with the Chief Electoral Officers said that the legal and regulatory framework of the elections is quite robust, however the implementation of various instructions of the Commission at the field is very critical. He stressed that CEOs need to be innovative, more active, and should learn from each other’s best practices and challenges. He urged CEOs to regularly interact with DEOs for coordination and monitoring and visit the field for critical feedback to ensure necessary course corrections.
Election Commissioneri Anup Chandra Pandey stressed on Training & Capacity Building of BLOs as effectiveness of ECI’s activities depends on the effective implementation by field level election officials. He also emphasized on the involvement of different stakeholders and officials in the field for outreach and SVEEP activities at the ground level throughout the year even in non-election period. He emphasized that CEOs need to ensure that correct information and facts are regularly shared with local media for enhanced outreach.
During the conference, the Commission released ‘Compendium of Cases on Election Law’. The Commission also released a Coffee Table Book “Conduct of General Elections to the Assam Legislative Assembly 2021”, and a short video titled “Call of Duty” developed by CEO Assam. The video highlights various challenges faced by election officials in setting up polling stations in remote and difficult terrains. A voter anthem titled “Power of 18” prepared by CEO Manipur for the new voters was also released during the conference.
A multimedia exhibition of SVEEP activities for Special Summary Revision of Photo Electoral Roll 2022 (SSR2022) by States /UTs was also displayed during the conference. The conference was attended by Chief Electoral Officers from all States/UTs, Senior DECs, DECs, DG, and other senior officers from the Commission.