GUWAHATI: The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced a series of operational changes aimed at improving the accuracy of electoral rolls and enhancing voter services on Thursday, May 1. These developments follow directives issued during the Conference of Chief Electoral Officers held in March, where Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi outlined the priorities.
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The Commission will now electronically access death registration data from the Registrar General of India to improve the removal of deceased individuals from the electoral rolls. This move aligns 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. The electronic transfer of data is expected to provide Electoral Registration Officers with faster access to verified information. Booth Level Officers will continue to conduct field verification but will no longer require formal applications through Form 7 for such cases.
The Commission is redesigning the Voter Information Slips (VIS). The new format will feature larger fonts for serial and part numbers, making it easier for voters to locate their polling stations and for polling staff to match names on the rolls without delays.
The ECI has also mandated the issuance of standard photo identity cards to all Booth Level Officers. Appointed under Section 13B(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, BLOs serve as the first point of contact between the electorate and the Commission. The move is aimed at ensuring they are clearly identifiable during verification visits, enabling smoother interactions with the public.
These measures are part of the ECI's ongoing efforts to tighten procedural gaps and offer greater clarity and efficiency in voter-related processes.
