The Election Commission on Tuesday in its two-day conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all the states and Union Territories asked each of them to submit reports of the action taken in their respective states on the issues brought up by the political parties by March 31, 2025. On the ongoing accusation of Political Parties of tampering with the voter list, the EC ordered its state officials to resolve any issue by the political parties within the statutory framework.
The decisions came when Trinamool Congress’s leaders made accusations of tampering with voter ID card no in West Bengal. During Maharashtra assembly elections, Congress also complained of voter list duplication. In the response, EC said, that regardless of Electronic Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number, one individual can cast only one vote at a time at his mentioned polling station in his or her respective constituencies. The commission agreed on removing any duplications and making sure that each voter gets their unique EPIC number.
On March 4, 2025, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar urged, in the Commission’s three-member meeting with the CEOs, improvements to election management. A senior EC official mentioned that the conference aimed to enhance electoral processes while following the legal framework of laws in the functioning of the commission.
The CEC enthused the need for officials to operate in a transparent, responsive, and accessible manner to political parties. He advised them to carry out their statutory functions under the Representation of the People Act (1950 and 1951), the Registration of Elector Rules (1960), and the Conduct of Election Rules (1961), including the EC’s periodic instructions. Along with that, officials have been asked to ensure registration of all citizens above 18 years.
Building up the Accessibility of Voter
Keeping voting flawless, officials have been instructed to structure polling booths with 800-1,200 electors per station and two km from any voters’ area. Special consideration will be given to construction in buildings or slum clusters to improve the urban voter turnout, while rural polling stations are also equipped with essential facilities.
Reinforcement of Electoral Stakeholders
The electoral commission has identified 28 major stakeholders involved in the election process, namely: chief electoral officers, political parties, candidates, and polling agents. This conference intends to build its capacity further and reinforce its commitment to de facto free and fair elections.
Edited By Saumya Sharan
