ELECTION COMMISSION OF INDIA
Nirvachan Sadan, Ashoka Road, New Delhi-110001
No. ECI/PN/189/2025 04.03.2025
Press Note
All CEOs, DEOs, EROs directed to hold political party meetings regularly
and resolve issues within statutory framework
Issue wise action taken reports to be filed by CEOs by 31st March, 2025
ECI holds conference of CEOs of all States/UTs; Over 100 officials
participate
The Election Commission of India today began a two-day conference of
CEOs of all States/UTs at IIIDEM, New Delhi. This is the first such conference
to be held since Shri Gyanesh Kumar assumed charge as CEC. CEC and ECs
Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi interacted with CEOs on a
series of topics that will pave the way for improvements in election
management in the country within the established legal framework.
In his address, CEC Shri Gyanesh Kumar exhorted all officials including
all CEOs, DEOs, EROs, BLOs across the country to work transparently and
fulfill all statutory obligations diligently and as per the existing legal framework
i.e. the RP Act 1950 & 1951; Registration of Elector Rules 1960, Conduct of
Election Rules 1961 and the instructions issued by ECI from time to time.
He directed officials to be approachable and responsive to political
parties. He added that all party meetings at all statutory levels be held
regularly to resolve any issues within the existing statutory framework by the
concerned competent authority i.e. ERO or DEO or CEO. The issue wise action
taken report by each CEO is to be submitted by March 31, 2025 to their
concerned DEC.
He emphasized that all CEOs, DEOs, ROs, EROs should be thorough
with their roles and responsibilities, as clearly delineated within the statute
and ECI instructions. He added that officials should ensure that all citizens of
India who are above 18 years of age are registered as electors as per Article 325
and Article 326 of the Constitution. He directed that all BLOs be trained to be
courteous with electors while also ensuring that no electoral staff or officer is
intimidated by anyone using false claims.
Officials were directed to make efforts to have between 800-1200 electors
in each polling booth and ensure that it is within 2 kms distance from the
residence of each elector. Polling Booths with proper Assured Minimum
Facilities should be established for the ease of voting in rural areas. Polling
Booths should also be established in high rise buildings as well as slum
clusters to increase voting in urban areas.
After a comprehensive mapping of the Constitutional framework and
statutes, the Commission has identified 28 distinct stakeholders in the entire
election process including CEOs, DEOs EROs, political parties, candidates,
polling agents etc. The conference aims to strengthen the capacity building of
each of the 28 identified stakeholders which have been divided amongst all
CEOs in four cohorts namely Electoral Rolls, Conduct of Elections,
Supervisory/Enforcement and Political Parties/Candidates, under the guidance
of each of the four DECs in the Commission. More details to follow tomorrow
after the conclusion of the conference.
For the first time one DEO and one ERO from each State/UT are taking
part in the conference.
Anuj Chandak
Director
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