The 13th training batch for Booth Level Officer (BLO) Supervisors began today at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi. The programme, conducted under the supervision of the Election Commission of India (ECI), was inaugurated by Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar, who addressed 379 participants from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Chandigarh.
In his inaugural speech, CEC Gyanesh Kumar stressed the foundational importance of these training programs in upholding the transparency and legality of the Indian electoral process. He stressed that elections in India are held strictly as per the Representation of the People Acts of 1950 and 1951, the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, the Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, and all relevant guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India.
“Nothing is more transparent than law in any democracy,” the CEC stated, highlighting the legal sanctity that governs Indian elections. He also spoke on the critical role played by BLOs and their supervisors in ensuring error-free electoral rolls, which form the bedrock of fair elections.
One of the key areas covered in the training is the legal procedure surrounding the first and second appeals related to electoral rolls. CEC Kumar reminded participants of their responsibility to inform citizens about these rights—namely, the right to appeal with the District Magistrate under Section 24(a) of the Representation of People Act, 1950, and subsequently with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) under Section 24(b), if required.
Interestingly, no appeals were recorded from the participating states and union territories—Meghalaya, Nagaland, Madhya Pradesh, Chandigarh, and Uttar Pradesh—after the Special Summary Revision (SSR) exercise conducted from January 6–10, 2025. This highlights a growing level of efficiency and accuracy in electoral roll management across these regions.
The training program, curated by IIIDEM, is practically oriented and aims to enhance the officers’ hands-on knowledge of various procedures, including voter registration, handling of electoral forms, and on-ground implementation. Participants are being equipped with detailed instruction on the use of digital tools and IT systems vital for modern election management.
Additionally, the training includes demonstrations of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), coupled with mock polls, to ensure complete operational familiarity.
In the past three months alone, over 5,000 BLOs and their supervisors have undergone similar training in New Delhi, as part of ECI’s continuous effort to professionalize and strengthen electoral personnel at the grassroots level.
The current batch, like its predecessors, represents a vital link in India’s vast electoral machinery—ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections, rooted firmly in the rule of law.
