#### Electoral Process and Voter Convenience Strengthened
Election Commission launches 21 new initiatives in 100 days
Udaipur: In a major drive to streamline election management and enhance the voter experience, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has launched 21 new initiatives over the past 100 days. These reforms span procedural improvements, training programs, and stakeholder engagement. This proactive and constructive phase began after Chief Election Commissioner Mr. Gyanesh Kumar assumed office. The Commission’s renewed vision was outlined during the Chief Electoral Officers’ Conference in March 2025, attended by Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi.
Key Reforms
The maximum number of voters per polling station has been reduced from 1500 to 1200.
Additional polling stations will be set up in densely populated areas like high-rise buildings and colonies.
The ECI aims to ensure no voter has to travel more than 2 km to cast their vote.
Voter information slips have been redesigned for clarity, prominently displaying serial and part numbers.
Mobile deposit facilities will be set up at the entrance of each polling station.
The distance for candidate campaign booths from polling stations has been revised from 200 meters to 100 meters.
Digital and Technological Advancements
ECI Net, a unified dashboard, has been developed to consolidate all services onto a single platform, replacing over 40 separate apps and websites. Some modules are already in use for by-elections, with full implementation expected by the Bihar Assembly elections.
Integration with the Registrar General of India’s death registration data ensures timely removal of deceased voters from rolls.
E-office system has been activated, and biometric attendance has been introduced at the headquarters.
Voter List and Training
A special summary revision under the Representation of the People Act, 1950 was conducted ahead of by-elections — a first in ECI history.
28 stakeholder groups have been identified and custom training modules are being developed.
Comprehensive training programs have begun for BLOs and their supervisors.
Over 3,500 BLOs and supervisors have already been trained at IIIDEM; another 6,000 will be trained in 20 batches over the next 45 days.
The Commission aims to train 1 lakh BLO supervisors in the coming years.
All BLOs will receive standardized photo ID cards.
Political Engagement
4,719 all-party meetings were conducted across the country, involving over 28,000 political representatives.
These included 40 meetings at CEO level, 800 at DEO level, and 3,879 at ERO level.
Meetings have been held in Delhi with AAP, BJP, BSP, CPI(M), and NPP. Meetings with other parties will be held post by-elections.
Recognized political parties' Booth Level Agents (BLAs) have begun receiving training, with initial batches trained in Bihar, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry.
Additional Reforms
Orientation sessions were conducted for media officers in CEO offices to improve public communication.
Training was provided to police officials in Bihar to strengthen multi-agency coordination.
Regular review meetings have been initiated between the ECI headquarters and state CEOs to improve internal coordination and operational efficiency.
Legal Reforms
A National Conference of ECI’s lawyers and CEOs from all States and UTs was held in New Delhi.
Senior advocates from the Supreme Court and 28 High Courts participated.
The goal is to adapt the legal framework to emerging electoral challenges.
List of 21 New Initiatives (February 19 – May 29, 2025)
Capping voter limit to 1200 per polling station
Additional polling stations in high-rises/colonies
Direct integration with RGI for removal of deceased voters
Redesigned, user-friendly voter slips
Mobile deposit facility at polling station entrances
4,719 all-party meetings nationwide (at CEO, DEO, ERO levels)
Meetings with national and state political party leaders
Training for recognized parties’ BLAs at IIIDEM
Revised campaign booth distance from 200m to 100m
Launch of ECI Net unified dashboard
Unique EPIC number system to address duplication
Identification of 28 stakeholder categories
Training modules and presentations for all stakeholders
National conference of ECI lawyers
Standardized photo IDs for BLOs
Training of 3,500+ BLO supervisors; target of 6,000 more in 45 days; 1 lakh in coming years
Orientation for media officers of all 36 State/UT CEO offices
Police training sessions in Bihar
Biometric attendance system
Launch of e-office system
Regular CEO review meetings
These initiatives signify a modern, inclusive, and accountable approach by the Election Commission to empower voters and refine election management.
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