MARCH 5:The Election Commission of India (ECI) initiated a two-day conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) from all States and Union Territories (UTs) at IIIDEM, New Delhi, today. This marks the first such conference held since Shri Gyanesh Kumar assumed charge as Chief Election Commissioner (CEC). The conference saw participation from over 100 officials, including CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, and CEOs from across the country. The event is intended to address various aspects of election management and bring about improvements in the country’s electoral processes within the existing legal framework.
In his address, CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar urged officials to prioritize transparency and adhere strictly to statutory obligations as outlined in the Representation of People Act 1950 & 1951, the Registration of Electors Rules 1960, the Conduct of Elections Rules 1961, and other guidelines issued by the ECI over time. He emphasized that all officials, including CEOs, District Election Officers (DEOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and Booth Level Officers (BLOs), must work diligently and as per the established laws to ensure smooth and efficient electoral processes.
Shri Gyanesh Kumar also directed officials to maintain a proactive and approachable stance toward political parties, ensuring that regular meetings at all statutory levels are held to address and resolve any issues within the legal framework. He instructed that action taken reports for each issue be submitted by CEOs to the concerned District Election Commission (DEC) by March 31, 2025.
The CEC further highlighted the importance of thorough understanding and execution of roles and responsibilities by all election officials, as clearly defined in the legal framework. He stressed the need for ensuring that every eligible citizen above the age of 18 is registered as an elector, in line with Articles 325 and 326 of the Constitution. Additionally, he emphasized the necessity of training BLOs to interact politely and professionally with electors while ensuring the safety and dignity of all electoral staff and officers.
In terms of logistics, the CEC directed that each polling booth should have between 800-1200 electors, with a maximum distance of 2 kilometers from the residences of electors. Polling booths should also be set up in high-rise buildings and slum clusters to enhance voter participation in urban areas. For rural regions, booths should be equipped with Assured Minimum Facilities to ensure ease of voting.
The Commission has identified 28 key stakeholders involved in the election process, including CEOs, DEOs, political parties, candidates, and polling agents. The conference aims to strengthen the capacity-building efforts of these stakeholders by dividing them into four cohorts—Electoral Rolls, Conduct of Elections, Supervisory/Enforcement, and Political Parties/Candidates—under the guidance of the four DECs. For the first time, one DEO and one ERO from each State and UT are participating in the conference, underscoring the importance of a collaborative and comprehensive approach to election management. More details are expected to emerge after the conference concludes tomorrow.
 initiated a two-day conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) from all States and Union Territories (UTs) at IIIDEM, New Delhi, today){kind=link}