ECI begins training programme for grassroot electoral officials

CEC Gyanesh Kumar addresses the inaugural session of the 2-day training program for Election Officers in New Delhi on March 26, 20205.
| Photo Credit: PTI

On Wednesday (March 26, 2025), the Election Commission of India (ECI) began training its first batch of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to familiarise them with their roles and responsibilities. Under electoral laws, BLOs must complete the necessary forms to ensure an error‐free update of the electoral rolls.

The initial group of BLOs hails from Bihar, West Bengal and Assam — states where Assembly elections are imminent. The ECI’s initiative comes amid opposition claims, including from the Trinamool Congress and the Congress, alleging manipulation of electoral rolls.

According to the Commission, over one lakh BLOs — averaging one per ten polling stations — will be trained in similar programmes over the coming years. These trained BLOs will also serve as Assembly Level Master Trainers (ALMTs), reinforcing the entire national network of BLOs. They represent the critical first link between an electorate of 100 crore and the Commission.

This capacity‐building programme will proceed in phases, with an initial focus on states facing imminent polls, the Commission added. The training is being held at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi.

Currently, 109 BLOs from Bihar, West Bengal and Assam are participating in a two‐day residential programme along with 24 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and 13 District Election Officers (DEOs) from Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Kerala, Puducherry and Tamil Nadu.

BLOs are State Government officials and are appointed by the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) after the approval of the District Election Officers (DEOs).

BLOs, who are State Government officials, are appointed by the EROs following the approval of the DEOs. The training aims to familiarise BLOs with their responsibilities under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 and subsequent Commission instructions, as well as to instruct them in the proper completion of forms to update the electoral rolls accurately. They will also receive training on IT applications designed to support their work.

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasised the critical role of EROs and BLOs in ensuring error‐free electoral roll updates. He urged State Governments to nominate officers at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate level or its equivalent as EROs. These officers, in turn, should appoint BLOs while considering seniority and ensuring that appointees are ordinary residents of the polling areas under their charge.

Mr. Kumar also recalled his instructions to all Chief Electoral Officers, DEOs and EROs to hold all‐party meetings at their respective levels to address local electoral issues, including the correct updating of electoral rolls. He cautioned that any complaints against an ERO or BLO would be dealt with strictly and advised BLOs to maintain courtesy during house‐to‐house verifications.