ECI launches three new voter-friendly initiatives to enhance electoral roll accuracy

The Election Commission of India has introduced new initiatives
aimed at improving the accuracy of electoral rolls, making the voting process
more convenient for citizens. These measures are in line with the initiatives
as envisaged by the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India Shri
Gyanesh Kumar during the Conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs), in
the presence of Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr.
Vivek Joshi in March this year.

The Commission will now obtain death registration data electronically
from the Registrar General of India in line with Rule 9 of the Registration of
Electors Rules, 1960 and Section 3(5)(b) of the Registration of Births and
Deaths Act, 1969 (as amended in 2023). This will ensure that the Electoral
Registration Officers (EROs) receive timely information about registered
deaths. This will also enable Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to re-verify the
information through field visits, without waiting for a formal request under
Form 7.

To make Voter Information Slips (VIS) more voter friendly, the
Commission has also decided to modify its design. The serial number and
part number of the voter will now be displayed more prominently, with
increased font size, making it easier for voters to identify their polling station
and for polling officials to locate their names in the electoral roll efficiently.

The Commission has also directed that all BLOs, who are appointed
by the EROs under Section 13B(2) of the Representation of the People Act,
1950, be issued standard photo identity cards to ensure that citizens can
recognise and interact confidently with BLOs during voter verification and
registration drives. As the first interface between the voters and the ECI in
performing election related duties, it is important that BLOs are easily
identifiable to the public while conducting house-to-house visits.