A vital two-day capacity building programme for electoral field functionaries from Bihar began today in New Delhi, marking another significant step towards strengthening democratic processes at the grassroots level. Organised by the Election Commission of India, the training is being held at the India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management (IIIDEM), a hub for excellence in election management.
This dedicated session brings together 229 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), 12 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and 2 District Election Officers (DEOs) from the poll-bound state of Bihar. As the electoral landscape evolves with increasing complexity, such training becomes crucial in ensuring that those on the ground are well-prepared, knowledgeable, and empowered to carry out their responsibilities with precision and integrity.
Alongside the BLO training, a specialized one-day programme for the State Police Nodal Officer (SPNO) and other police officials from Bihar has also commenced. This initiative seeks to enhance coordination between election authorities and security personnel, a vital component in ensuring peaceful and fair elections. The programme focuses on key areas such as law and order management, vulnerability mapping, CAPF deployment, and the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct.
The session was inaugurated by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar, who was joined by Election Commissioner Dr. Vivek Joshi. Both officials took time to engage directly with the participants, underlining the importance of their roles and the trust the democratic system places in them.
This is the third batch of BLOs from Bihar to undergo training at IIIDEM, reflecting the Commission’s ongoing efforts to build a robust and transparent electoral framework. So far, 555 BLOs from Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam, along with 279 Booth Level Agents (BLA-1s) representing 10 national and state political parties, have participated in the first phase of this training drive.
The BLOs trained in this programme will go on to serve as Assembly Level Master Trainers (ALMTs), cascading their knowledge across the state and beyond. Their efforts will directly contribute to the accuracy of electoral rolls and ensure seamless adoption of digital tools and systems that support the electoral process.
Notably, IIIDEM’s training programmes have earned global recognition, with over 3,000 participants from 141 countries – including leading democracies such as the USA, UK, Brazil, and Australia – benefitting from India’s expertise in election management. Today’s session not only reinforces India’s commitment to fair elections but also highlights the vital human element behind every successful democratic exercise.
