ECI Crosses Milestone of Training Over 2,300 Field-Level Election Functionaries at IIIDEM
New Delhi | The Election Commission of India (ECI) has achieved a significant milestone by training over 2,300 field-level election functionaries through its flagship institution, the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM). The latest initiative includes a special training programme conducted in Tamil language for election officials from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.
A total of 293 participants—comprising 264 Booth Level Officer (BLO) Supervisors, 14 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), 2 District Election Officers (DEOs), and other officials—are attending the mixed-batch training programme at IIIDEM in Delhi.
In his inaugural address, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Gyanesh Kumar emphasized the vital role of BLOs as the primary interface between the Election Commission and voters. He highlighted the importance of accurate and updated electoral rolls, which BLOs help ensure at the grassroots level.
“This two-day training programme is a part of ECI’s ambitious plan to train election functionaries at all levels, including over 1 lakh BLOs nationwide in the coming years,” Shri Kumar said.
The training sessions include interactive modules, role plays, and hands-on exercises to ensure precise form-filling—particularly Forms 6, 7, and 8. The programme also offers practical exposure to IT-based electoral solutions. Notably, the participating BLO supervisors are being groomed as Assembly Level Master Trainers, who will in turn train other BLOs across their respective states.
The training also covered legal aspects, including the procedures for filing first and second appeals against final electoral rolls. Participants were acquainted with the appeal processes under Section 24(a) and 24(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950—appeals to the District Magistrate or an equivalent officer, and the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the State/UT, respectively.
Interestingly, no appeals were filed from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry following the Special Summary Revision (SSR) conducted between January 6–10, 2025, indicating a smooth and satisfactory revision process in the two regions.
