Has ECI Achieved a Significant Milestone by Training Over 2,300 Election Functionaries at IIIDEM?
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Synopsis
Discover how the <b>Election Commission of India (ECI)</b> is revolutionizing electoral management by training over <b>2,300 field-level election functionaries</b> at the <b>IIIDEM</b>. With initiatives in regional languages and hands-on training, this effort aims to ensure a robust democratic process across the nation.
Key Takeaways
- Over 2,300 election functionaries trained.
- Training held at IIIDEM in New Delhi.
- Focus on regional languages for inclusivity.
- Interactive and hands-on training sessions.
- Long-term goal of training over one lakh BLOs.
New Delhi, May 7 (NationPress) In a pivotal advancement towards enhancing electoral management at the grassroots level, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has successfully trained over 2,300 field-level election functionaries at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi in recent weeks.
This groundbreaking initiative marks the beginning of training sessions conducted in regional languages, promoting greater inclusiveness and understanding.
A dedicated training program for officials from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry is currently taking place, featuring sessions in the Tamil language.
During this two-day training programme at IIIDEM, a total of 293 participants are attending, including 264 Booth Level Officer (BLO) Supervisors, 14 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), 2 District Election Officers (DEOs), along with other election officials.
In his inaugural address, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasized the essential role of BLOs as the primary link between the Election Commission and voters, noting that their duties significantly influence the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls, which are fundamental to any democratic process.
The ECI aims to train over one lakh BLOs nationwide in the coming years. The current program at IIIDEM is designed to be interactive and hands-on, covering the appropriate handling and processing of Forms 6, 7, and 8 for voter registration and corrections.
Practical modules on utilizing IT tools to enhance electoral roll management are also included.
The BLO Supervisors are being groomed to become Assembly Level Master Trainers (ALMTs), who will subsequently train BLOs in their respective constituencies, facilitating a multiplier effect in skill dissemination.
A key aspect of the training involves legal literacy: participants are being taught about the appellate provisions under the Representation of the People Act, 1950. They are learning how to file first appeals with the District Magistrate or an equivalent officer under Section 24(a), and second appeals with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the State or Union Territory under Section 24(b).
Interestingly, the Commission noted that no appeals were submitted from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry following the recent Special Summary Revision (SSR) exercise conducted between January 6 and 10, 2025, which is a positive indication of the robustness of the revision process.
Point of View
The ECI is laying a strong foundation for transparent and accountable governance, which is essential for a thriving democracy. - National Editor-in-Chief.
NationPress
08/05/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the ECI training program?
The ECI training program is crucial for strengthening electoral management at the grassroots level, ensuring that election functionaries are well-equipped to handle their responsibilities effectively.
How many participants are involved in the current training?
The current training program at IIIDEM includes a total of 293 participants.
What languages are being used for the training sessions?
Training sessions are being conducted in regional languages, including Tamil for officials from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
What are the roles of the participants?
Participants include Booth Level Officer Supervisors, Electoral Registration Officers, District Election Officers, and other election officials.
What is the future plan for training BLOs?
The ECI plans to train more than one lakh BLOs across the country in the coming years.
