In a significant and inclusive step, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated Tamil-language training for field-level election functionaries from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The unique training programme, currently being conducted at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in Delhi, is tailored to enhance the capabilities of 293 participants. This batch comprises 264 Booth Level Officer (BLO) Supervisors, 14 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), 2 District Election Officers (DEOs), and other supporting officials.
Inaugurating the two-day training session, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Gyanesh Kumar highlighted the crucial role of BLOs as the first point of contact between voters and the Election Commission. He emphasized that the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls largely rest on their shoulders. The CEC also noted that nearly 2,300 officials have undergone intensive training at IIIDEM in recent weeks, as part of the Commission’s broader initiative to upskill over 1 lakh BLOs across the country in the coming years.
The current training module is comprehensive, featuring interactive sessions, role plays, and practical exercises focused on the accurate completion of electoral forms such as Form 6, 7, and 8. A key component of the training is the introduction of IT tools for electoral management, equipping BLO supervisors to become Assembly Level Master Trainers who will subsequently train other BLOs.
Additionally, the programme features in-depth sessions on the appeals process concerning electoral roll revisions. Participants were informed about the legal framework for filing first and second appeals under Section 24 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950. The first appeal can be submitted to the District Magistrate or an officer of equivalent rank, while the second appeal lies with the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the respective State or Union Territory.
It is noteworthy that no appeals were filed from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry following the Special Summary Revision (SSR) conducted from January 6–10, 2025—a testament to the efficiency and accuracy of the process in the region.
This initiative marks another milestone in ECI’s commitment to ensuring an inclusive, transparent, and robust electoral process by empowering its grassroots-level officials through regionally tailored training programmes.
