Election Officials Urged to Regularly Meet with Political Parties: CEC
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Synopsis
In a directive aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in elections, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has stressed the importance of regular meetings between election officials and political parties. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the electoral process across the nation.
Key Takeaways
- Regular meetings between election officials and political parties emphasize transparency.
- Election staff must be protected from intimidation.
- All eligible citizens must register to vote.
- Polling stations should be accessible within 2 km of voters' homes.
- Action-Taken Reports are required by March 31, 2025.
New Delhi, March 4 (NationPress) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar has instructed election officials to engage in regular communication with political parties to promote transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
During a two-day conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) from all States and Union Territories held at IIIDEM, Kumar emphasized the necessity for election officers to be reachable by political parties.
"Consistent meetings at all levels will assist in resolving issues within the current statutory framework. It is also essential to ensure that election staff is not subjected to intimidation through false allegations," he remarked.
This conference marks the first gathering since Gyanesh Kumar assumed the role of CEC. Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi also contributed to discussions on strategies to improve election management within the legal context.
Kumar called upon officials, including District Election Officers (DEOs) and Booth Level Officers (BLOs), to act in a transparent manner and to diligently fulfill their legal responsibilities. He highlighted the significance of adhering to the Representation of the People Act, Voter Registration Rules, and Election Conduct Rules.
Additionally, he emphasized that every Indian citizen aged 18 and above must be registered as a voter in accordance with Articles 325 and 326 of the Constitution.
BLOs ought to be trained to interact politely with voters. Polling stations should serve between 800-1,200 voters and be situated within 2 km of each voter's home.
He stated that adequate amenities must be made available at polling stations, especially focusing on rural areas, slums, and high-rise buildings to boost voter participation.
The CEC mandated all CEOs to provide an Action-Taken Report on these directives by March 31, 2025.
"After a thorough mapping of the Constitutional framework and statutes, the Commission has recognized 28 distinct stakeholders involved in the election process, including CEOs, DEOs, EROs, political parties, candidates, polling agents, etc.," an Election Commission statement indicated.
The conference aims to enhance the capacity building of each of the 28 known stakeholders, which have been categorized among all CEOs in four groups: Electoral Rolls, Conduct of Elections, Supervisory/Enforcement, and Political Parties/Candidates, under the supervision of each of the four DECs in the Commission.
