 has achieved a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to strengthen electoral processes across the country. More than 2,300 field-level election officials){kind=link}
MAY 08: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has achieved a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to strengthen electoral processes across the country. More than 2,300 field-level election officials have now received specialized training at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi, marking a major step toward professionalizing voter services.
In a unique initiative aimed at regional inclusivity, the ECI has commenced training for field-level election functionaries from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the Tamil language. This latest batch includes 293 participants, comprising 264 Booth Level Officer (BLO) Supervisors, 14 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), 2 District Election Officers (DEOs), and other election-related staff.
Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar inaugurated the two-day training programme and emphasized the importance of BLOs as the first point of contact between the ECI and voters. “Their role is critical in ensuring accurate and up-to-date electoral rolls,” he noted.
The training, designed to be interactive and practical, includes role-play scenarios and sessions focused on correctly processing Forms 6, 7, and 8. Participants are also introduced to IT tools developed to simplify electoral roll management. This hands-on approach equips BLO Supervisors to serve as Assembly Level Master Trainers who will, in turn, train other BLOs across their respective states.
Another vital aspect of the training includes awareness of the legal framework for handling electoral roll disputes. Officials were informed about the appeal process under Section 24 of the Representation of People Act, 1950—where dissatisfied citizens can approach the District Magistrate or escalate further to the Chief Electoral Officer of the State or Union Territory.
Notably, following the Special Summary Revision (SSR) exercise conducted from January 6 to 10, 2025, no appeals were filed in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, indicating a smooth revision process in these regions.
With plans underway to train over 1 lakh BLOs in the coming years, the Election Commission is demonstrating its strong commitment to electoral transparency, capacity building, and voter facilitation nationwide.