In a significant stride towards strengthening India’s democratic foundation, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has reached a major milestone by training over 2,300 field-level election functionaries at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM). The most recent training initiative brought together 293 participants from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, including 264 Booth Level Officer (BLO) Supervisors, 14 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and two District Election Officers (DEOs), in a first-of-its-kind session conducted in Tamil.
This thoughtful effort reflects the ECI’s commitment to inclusivity and effectiveness in election preparedness, recognizing that language should never be a barrier in empowering those who are on the frontlines of the electoral process. During the inauguration of the two-day programme, Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar emphasized the critical role that BLOs play as the first interface between the Commission and the voters. Their responsibility in maintaining accurate and up-to-date electoral rolls is fundamental to the strength of India’s electoral system.
The training includes interactive modules, role-playing exercises, and practical sessions on filling out key forms such as Forms 6, 7, and 8. It also equips the participants with IT skills essential for modern electoral management. The BLO Supervisors are being groomed as Assembly Level Master Trainers, a move aimed at cascading their knowledge and expertise to other BLOs across the states.
Participants were also introduced to the provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, specifically regarding the appeal mechanisms for electoral roll grievances. They were informed about the roles of District Magistrates and Chief Electoral Officers in handling first and second appeals under Sections 24(a) and 24(b) of the Act.
It is noteworthy that, following the recent Special Summary Revision exercise conducted between January 6th and 10th, 2025, there were no appeals filed from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry—a testament to the diligence and accuracy of the electoral roll work in these regions.
This human-centered initiative by the ECI not only showcases its ongoing efforts to build a more robust, accurate, and inclusive electoral process but also reaffirms its dedication to empowering field-level officials with the knowledge and skills they need to uphold the sanctity of India’s democracy.