Latest news with #VoterInformationSlips
India Gazette
23-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
ECI to provide Mobile Deposit Facility for voters at polling stations
New Delhi [India], May 23 (ANI): In line with various initiatives aimed at enhancing voter convenience and streamlining poll day arrangements, the Election Commission has issued two more comprehensive instructions for providing mobile deposit facility for voters just outside the polling stations and rationalising norms for canvassing, according to an official statement. The instructions are in line with the relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961. Recognising the increasing coverage and usage of mobile phones in both urban and rural areas and the challenges faced not only by the voters at large but also by senior citizens, women, and PwD electors in managing mobile phones on the poll day, the Commission has decided to allow a mobile deposit facility just outside the polling stations. Only mobile phones shall be allowed within 100 meters of the polling station and that too in switched-off mode, the release said. As per the release, very simple pigeonhole boxes or jute bags shall be provided near the entrance door of the polling station where the voters would be required to deposit their mobile phones. Mobile phones shall not be allowed to be carried inside the polling station by the voter. However, certain Polling Stations can be exempted from this provision based on adverse local circumstances by the Returning Officer. Rule 49M of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, which ensures secrecy of voting within the polling station, will continue to be strictly enforced. Further, in a move aimed at improving election day facilitation, the Commission has rationalised the permissible norms for canvassing in line with the electoral laws to 100 meters from the entrance of the polling station. However, electioneering shall not be allowed within a 100-meter radius around the Polling Station on the day of the poll. Therefore, the booths set up by the candidates on poll day for issuing unofficial identity slips to electors, in case the electors are not carrying their official Voter Information Slips (VIS) issued by the Commission, can now be set up just beyond 100 meters of any polling station. The Election Commission of India, under the Chairmanship of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, remains committed to conducting elections strictly in accordance with the legal framework, while continuously innovating to improve the facilities for the voters. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
EC to provide mobile phone deposit facility for voters at polling stations
In a major relief for voters, the EC on Friday said it would set up mobile phone deposit counters at polling stations. Several voters who go to cast their votes take their phones inside polling booths by concealing the device in their clothes due to the absence of a facility to deposit it. In another move, seeking to rationalise poll day management, the Election Commission (EC) decided to allow parties and candidates to set up booths to distribute unofficial voter identification slips at 100 metres from the polling station entrance. Till now, the limit was 200 metres from the "polling location". These two key reforms will first be implemented in Bihar, where assembly polls will be held later this year. Recognising the increasing coverage and usage of mobile phones in urban and rural areas and the challenges faced not only by the voters at large but also senior citizens, women and persons with disabilities in managing mobile phones on polling day, the commission has decided to allow a mobile deposit facility just outside the polling stations, the EC said. 'Only mobile phones shall be allowed within 100 metres of the polling station and that too in switched-off mode. Very simple pigeonhole boxes or jute bags shall be provided near the entrance door of the polling station where the voters would be required to deposit their mobile phones. Mobile phones shall not be allowed to be carried inside the polling station,' the poll authority said. However, it said, certain polling stations could be exempt from this provision based on adverse local circumstances by the returning officer. Rule 49M of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, which ensures secrecy of voting within the polling station, will continue to be strictly enforced, it underlined. The EC said that in a move aimed at improving election day facilitation, it rationalised the permissible norms for canvassing in line with the electoral laws to 100 metres from the entrance of the polling station. However, electioneering will not be allowed within a 100-metre radius around the polling station on the day of polling. "Therefore, the booths set up by the candidates on poll day for issuing unofficial identity slips to electors, in case the electors are not carrying their official Voter Information Slips (VIS) issued by the commission, can now be set up just beyond 100 metres of any polling station," it said. One "polling location", such as a school, can have multiple polling stations.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
EC to provide mobile phone deposit facility for voters at polling stations
In a major relief for voters, the EC on Friday said it would set up mobile phone deposit counters at polling stations. Several voters who go to cast their votes take their phones inside polling booths by concealing the device in their clothes due to the absence of a facility to deposit it. In another move, seeking to rationalise poll day management, the Election Commission (EC) decided to allow parties and candidates to set up booths to distribute unofficial voter identification slips at 100 metres from the polling station entrance. Till now, the limit was 200 metres from the "polling location". by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo These two key reforms will first be implemented in Bihar, where assembly polls will be held later this year. Recognising the increasing coverage and usage of mobile phones in urban and rural areas and the challenges faced not only by the voters at large but also senior citizens, women and persons with disabilities in managing mobile phones on polling day, the commission has decided to allow a mobile deposit facility just outside the polling stations, the EC said. Live Events "Only mobile phones shall be allowed within 100 metres of the polling station and that too in switched-off mode. Very simple pigeonhole boxes or jute bags shall be provided near the entrance door of the polling station where the voters would be required to deposit their mobile phones. Mobile phones shall not be allowed to be carried inside the polling station," the poll authority said. However, it said, certain polling stations could be exempt from this provision based on adverse local circumstances by the returning officer. Rule 49M of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, which ensures secrecy of voting within the polling station, will continue to be strictly enforced, it underlined. The EC said that in a move aimed at improving election day facilitation, it rationalised the permissible norms for canvassing in line with the electoral laws to 100 metres from the entrance of the polling station. However, electioneering will not be allowed within a 100-metre radius around the polling station on the day of polling. "Therefore, the booths set up by the candidates on poll day for issuing unofficial identity slips to electors, in case the electors are not carrying their official Voter Information Slips (VIS) issued by the commission, can now be set up just beyond 100 metres of any polling station," it said. One "polling location", such as a school, can have multiple polling stations.
India Today
02-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Digital linking of death certificates among poll body's key electoral reforms
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced a series of significant measures aimed at enhancing the accuracy of electoral rolls and increasing transparency in the electoral process. The development came amid ongoing concerns raised by opposition parties regarding the integrity of voter initiatives include the digital integration of death certificates, issuance of photo ID cards for booth-level officers, and a redesigned voter information slip for better clarity. These steps are intended to strengthen the credibility of the electoral rolls and promote greater transparency throughout the election INTEGRATION OF DEATH CERTIFICATESadvertisementA key initiative involves the digital integration of death certificate data. The poll body will now digitally obtain death registration data directly from the Registrar General of India, which will expedite and improve the accuracy of removing deceased individuals from electoral Registration Officers (EROs) will receive timely death data, empowering Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to conduct efficient field verifications without the need for formal Form 7 requests. This streamlined process promises to maintain more up-to-date electoral ID CARDS FOR BOOTH-LEVEL OFFICERS To further enhance public trust and facilitate easier identification, the Commission has mandated the issuance of standard photo identity cards for all Booth Level Officers (BLO). These officers, who serve as a vital link between the Election Commission and voters, will now carry identification cards featuring their measure addresses previous concerns about the difficulty citizens and polling agents faced in identifying BLOs, thereby increasing transparency during house-to-house verification, registration campaigns and other electoral processes. ID card for BLOs. REDESIGNED VOTER INFORMATION SLIPSIn another voter-centric move, the Election Commission has redesigned Voter Information Slips (VIS) for improved clarity. The serial number and part number of each voter will now be printed in a larger font size, enabling voters to easily locate their designated polling stations. This enhancement will also assist polling officials in efficiently locating voter names on the electoral Watch
Hans India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
EC to use digital data for speedy removal of deceased voters
New Delhi: Aiming for speedy removal of dead voters' names from electoral rolls, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has decided to directly collect electronic data from the Registrar of Births and Deaths, an official said on Thursday. At present, the names are not removed or verified by booth level officers till a formal request, through Form 7, is received. Apart from this, the ECI is planning to modify the design of Voter Information Slips (VIS) to make it more voter-friendly, said the official. Referring to recent decisions by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, the official said, 'The Commission will now obtain death registration data electronically from the Registrar General of India in line with Rule 9 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 and Section 3(5)(b) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (as amended in 2023).' 'This will ensure that the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) get timely information about registered deaths. This will also enable Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to re-verify the information through field visits, without waiting for a formal request under Form 7,' said the official in a statement. To make electoral slips more voter-friendly, the Commission has also decided to modify its design. 'The serial number and booth number of the voter will now be displayed more prominently, with increased font size, making it easier for voters to identify their polling station and for polling officials to locate their names in the electoral roll efficiently," said the official. The Commission has also directed that all BLOs, who are appointed by the EROs under Section 13B (2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, be issued standard photo identity cards to ensure that citizens can recognise and interact confidently with BLOs during voter verification and registration drives. The EC's move comes at a time when Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have been alleging anomalies in voters' lists. During his visit to Boston last month, LoP Gandhi attacked the EC saying, 'It is very clear to us that the Election Commission is compromised, and it is very clear that there is something wrong with the system.' The Trinamool Congress has been stating that voters from different states have the same Election Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number. In March, a delegation of Trinamool Congress MPs demanded that the ECI ensure a "Unique ID" for the EPIC cards as in Aadhaar cards and passports. Last month, the Trinamool Congress started a year-long review and verification of the voters' list in West Bengal.
