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EC Revives National Round Table With State Poll Bodies After 27-Year Hiatus

The Election Commission of India is set to host a National Round Table Conference with all State Election Commissioners, the first meeting of its kind since 1999. The conference aims to strengthen coordination and cooperative federalism in electoral processes. Key agenda items include discussions on EVM transparency, technological practices, and improving electoral roll accuracy. Senior officials from the ECI and all states and union territories will participate in the deliberations at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Key Points: EC's First National Round Table With State Commissioners in 27 Years

  • First such conference in 27 years
  • Focus on EVM security & electoral roll accuracy
  • Platform for institutional dialogue on federalism
  • Exchange of technological practices like ECINET
2 min read

EC to hold 'National Round Table Conference' with State Election Commissioners after 27-year gap

Election Commission convenes State Election Commissioners for key talks on EVMs, electoral rolls, and tech cooperation after a 27-year gap.

"enhancing coordination between the ECI and the State Election Commissions on electoral processes and logistics - Election Commission"

New Delhi/Gandhinagar, Feb 23 The Election Commission of India will convene a 'National Round Table Conference' with the State Election Commissioners on Tuesday at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, marking the first such meeting in 27 years, officials said on Monday.

The last conference of this kind was held in 1999.

The forthcoming meeting is aimed at enhancing coordination between the ECI and the State Election Commissions (SECs) on electoral processes and logistics.

The conference will be chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi will also attend the event.

The State Election Commissioners from all states and Union Territories are expected to participate along with their legal and technical experts.

Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) from all 36 states and Union Territories, including Gujarat, will also be present.

According to the ECI, the discussions will focus on strengthening cooperation between the national and state poll bodies and reinforcing the spirit of cooperative federalism in the conduct of elections.

Key agenda items include the exchange of technological practices, the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), and measures to further improve the accuracy and robustness of electoral rolls.

Senior ECI officials will make a presentation on the recently launched digital platform 'ECINET'.

The transparency and security features of EVMs will also be explained in detail during the deliberations.

A comparative presentation is scheduled on voter eligibility provisions across states and Union Territories in the context of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

The aim is to facilitate a structured discussion on the legal framework governing the preparation and revision of electoral rolls in different jurisdictions.

The State Election Commissions were constituted under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.

Under Articles 243K and 243ZA of the Constitution of India, SECs are responsible for conducting elections to panchayats and municipalities.

The conference is expected to provide a platform for institutional dialogue between the ECI and the State Election Commissions on administrative, legal and technological aspects of election management.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally! Better late than never. Panchayat and municipal elections are the foundation of our democracy. If the systems are strong at the grassroots, it strengthens everything. Good focus on electoral roll accuracy.
R
Rohit P
While the intent is good, I hope this isn't just a talk shop. We need actionable outcomes. Also, explaining EVM transparency *again* shows public trust is still an issue they need to address proactively.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the focus on "cooperative federalism". Sharing tech practices and legal frameworks across states can reduce duplication of effort and cost. The ECINET platform could be a game-changer if implemented well.
V
Vikram M
A national round table after 27 years is itself a comment on our priorities. Local body elections often get ignored. Hope this conference happens regularly now, not once in a generation.
K
Kavya N
Good initiative. The devil is in the details though. Voter eligibility rules differ so much between states, it creates confusion. Standardization within the constitutional framework would be a great outcome. All the best to the teams!

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