Officers told to ensure error-free electoral roll

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, June 17

The Election Commission of India led by Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra and Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and Anup Chandra Pandey held a virtual conference with Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of all states and UTs.

It was held to ascertain the experiences of poll-gone states and to galvanise the poll-bound states. Besides, the conference focused on key thematic issues such as smooth, efficient and friendly voter services, integration of IT applications, extensive voter outreach programme, expenditure monitoring and capacity building.

The CEC urged the poll-bound states, including Punjab, to learn from the experiences of states where elections were held recently. In this context, EC shall hold two-day conference with CEOs of five states where elections are due early next year. These states are Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. Before the two-day conference with the poll-bound states, the EC shall also facilitate a virtual conference with five poll-gone states.

The CEC stressed upon the issue of pendency related to the grievance redressal system and instructed the CEOs to ensure that all complaints should be redressed within 30 days. The CEOs were also instructed to take appropriate steps for making voter experience friendly and ensure IT integration and popularisation of mobile apps in this regard.

The CEOs were asked to make concerted efforts to ensure 100 per cent error-free electoral roll and make entire electoral process hassle-free.

Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar underlined the Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines in terms of movement and storage of EVMs. The key points such as separate arrangement of storage for state commissions and involvement of political parties in the First level Checking (FLC) were stressed upon.

“The physical verification of EVM warehouses will begin from July 1 by the Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Election Officers,” he said.