New Delhi, October 10
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has conducted a comprehensive online training and assessment programme for Returning Officers (ROs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) ahead of the upcoming Bihar Legislative Assembly elections and bye-elections, as per an official release.
The two-day programme, held on October 9 and 10, included an online assessment and a doubt-clearing session focused on the nomination process and other key aspects of election management.
A total of 243 ROs and 1,418 AROs participated virtually in the training. Under Section 21 read with Section 24 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, an RO is designated for each constituency to ensure that elections are conducted in accordance with law and the rules made thereunder.
According to the EC statement, the ROs and AROs are subject to the control, superintendence, and discipline of the Commission during the prescribed period.
The online assessment and doubt-clearing sessions will subsequently cover all phases of election conduct, including the nomination process, qualification and disqualification, the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), withdrawal of candidature, symbol allotment, poll-day arrangements, and counting.
National-level master trainers will clarify any doubts the ROs and AROs may have, ensuring they are well-prepared for the smooth conduct of the elections.
ECI also conducted an online briefing session for the CEO, all DEOs and ROs on the Presiding Officer module of ECINET, which is under progressive implementation. Through this module, the Presiding Officers will upload voter turnout data on the ECINet App on a two-hourly basis and at the close of polls. The data will be automatically compiled at the RO level, allowing for near-real-time, approximate voting trends to be available.
ECI will also organise a trial run of the Presiding Officers application at all Polling Stations before the poll. The sessions are in addition to the training sessions being organised by the concerned Chief Electoral Officers in their respective States/UTs.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone who has worked as a polling officer in previous elections, I can say this training is much needed. The nomination process can be quite complex and having clear guidelines helps prevent errors.
While I appreciate the effort, I hope they also focus on practical challenges faced at ground level. Sometimes technology fails in rural areas of Bihar. Backup plans should be in place.
The real-time voter turnout feature through ECINet is impressive! This will help monitor polling patterns and ensure better management throughout election day. Good step towards digital democracy.
Training 243 ROs and 1418 AROs virtually shows how technology is transforming our election process. Hope this leads to smoother elections in Bihar without the usual controversies.
The comprehensive coverage of topics from nomination process to counting procedures is commendable. This systematic approach should reduce election-related disputes and ensure legal compliance.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.