CEC Launches Groundbreaking Training for Booth-Level Officers

India’s Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, announced an ambitious training program for 1 lakh booth-level officers to enhance electoral roll accuracy. This initiative, launched at the IIIDEM in New Delhi, aims to fortify the crucial role of BLOs within India’s vast electoral framework, especially ahead of state elections.

At the India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management in New Delhi, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar unveiled a historical initiative: a special training program for one lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs). Speaking at the inauguration, CEC Kumar emphasized the crucial role of BLOs, called this training a pivotal step for the upcoming elections. He added, "India's elections are the largest in the world, encompassing 10,50,000 booths. Each booth is managed by a BLO tasked with validating and updating electoral rolls."

CEC Kumar highlighted the program's significance: "For the first time, a structured training program for BLOs will enhance their ability to update electoral rolls accurately." According to an official statement, this initiative aims to develop a corps of Assembly Level Master Trainers (ALMTs) to bolster the existing BLO network. Over one lakh BLOs are expected to undergo training, each covering an average of 10 polling stations, ensuring thoroughness before elections.

This capacity-building program will roll out in phases, initially focusing on states approaching elections. Currently, 109 BLOs from Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam are participating in a two-day residential training along with EROs and DEOs from various states. A key component of the program is familiarizing BLOs with their responsibilities under the RP Act 1950 and equipping them with IT tools to streamline their work.

State Government officials appoint BLOs under the supervision of Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), requiring adherence to the criteria set by CEC Kumar. He underscored the importance of using senior and locally residing candidates as BLOs, noting constitutional provisions in Article 326 and Section 20 of the RP Act 1950 regarding voter eligibility. Emphasizing transparency, Kumar instructed officials to resolve jurisdictional issues in electoral rolls in all-party meetings and issued a stern warning against improper conduct by EROs or BLOs. Ensuring reliable and courteous interactions with electors during verification processes remains a top priority for the Commission, committed to serving nearly 100 crore voters nationwide.

(With inputs from agencies.)