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India Gazette
a day ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
ECI marks several firsts in Bye-polls: Mobile Deposit Facility; Upgraded VTR sharing process; 100% Webcasting of Polling Stations
New Delhi [India], June 19 (ANI): The bye-polls to five Assembly Constituencies (ACs) held by the Election Commission of India (ECI) today witnessed successful implementation of several major new initiatives launched by the ECI in the past four months, as envisaged by the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi. According to release from the Election Commission, Bye-polls were held at the ACs of 24-Kadi (SC) and 87-Visavadar in Gujarat, 35-Nilambur in Kerala, 64-Ludhiana West in Punjab and 80-Kaliganj in West Bengal. During these bye-polls, polling was held at 1354 Polling Stations (PS) in the five ACs. The new initiatives include the provision of mobile deposit facility for the electors at all polling stations, upgraded Voter Turnout sharing process resulting in faster updation of the approximate polling trends by ensuring that the Presiding Officer updates the VTR data at the close of poll before leaving the polling station, webcasting at 100 per cent of polling stations ensuring constant vigil of the entire polling process and individual mock poll training of all Presiding Officers. Also, Special Summary Revision (SSR) of the Electoral Rolls was conducted before the bye-polls for the first time in nearly two decades. The successful implementation of these measures in the bye-polls paves the way for full introduction of all these measures in the forthcoming Bihar Assembly Elections. For the first time, voters were able to avail the mobile deposit facility provided by the ECI at the entrance of all polling stations. The measure is in recognition of the ubiquity of mobile phones in both urban and rural areas and the challenges faced by the voters particularly the senior citizens, women, and PwD electors as to where to leave their mobile phones before entering the polling station. Simple pigeonhole boxes or jute bags were provided at the entrance door of the polling stations where the voters deposited their mobile phones. Volunteers were deployed at the polling stations to facilitate the process. The upgraded VTR sharing process was also successfully implemented where the Presiding Officer of each polling station was able to directly enter voter turnout on the new ECINET App every two hours on polling day in order to reduce the time lag in the updation of the approximate polling trends. This was automatically aggregated at the constituency level. The approximate voting percentage trends were published every two hours as before. Also, voter turnout data was entered into the ECINET by Presiding Officers immediately after the close of poll, before they left the polling station to ensure that the approximate percentage of votes polled would be available on the updated VTR App constituency-wise after the close of polls subject to network connectivity. Where mobile networks are unavailable, entries can be made offline and synced once connectivity is restored. Previously, voter turnout data was collected manually by Sector Officers and relayed to Returning Officers (ROs) via phone calls, SMS, or messaging apps. This information was aggregated every two hours and uploaded to the Voter Turnout (VTR) App. At the close of poll, the Presiding Officer used to update the final VTR data after completing all other statutory responsibilities like filling up of various forms including 17C where he would take the signatures of the polling agents of political parties/candidates and hand over a copy to them, sealing and safe depositing of the EVMs in the strong room as per laid down procedures etc. Thus, the polling percentage trends were often updated hours later, i.e., around 10-11 PM, based on physical records arriving late in the night or even the next day. The upgraded system of VTR updation would cut down this delay, as now the Presiding Officer would be updating the data in ECINET before leaving the polling station. The Commission has ensured 100% webcasting of poll-day activities at all polling stations, except one, in the five bye-poll ACs. The webcasting was monitored to ensure that critical activities were taking place smoothly and there was no violation of the poll process. Dedicated monitoring teams at RO, DEO and CEO levels kept a strict vigil on the poll proceedings. (ANI)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bypolls: From webcasting at 100% polling stations to mobile deposit facility, EC marks several firsts
Image credit: PTI NEW DELHI: The bypolls to five assembly seats on Thursday across Gujarat, Kerala, Punjab and West Bengal recorded several firsts, including faster voter turnout updates, webcasting at 100% polling stations and provision of mobile deposit facility at polling stations. The assembly constituencies (ACs) , which witnessed moderate-to-high polling, include Kadi (SC) and Visavadar in Gujarat, Nilambur in Kerala, Ludhiana West in Punjab and Kaliganj in West Bengal. 'The successful implementation of several major new initiatives launched by the ECI in the past four months, as envisaged by the chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi,' EC said in a statement issued at the end of poll. An initiative introduced in these bye-polls is the provision of mobile deposit facility for the electors at all polling stations. Upgraded voter turnout sharing process ensured faster availability of approximate polling trends by ensuring that the presiding officer updated the voter turnout data at the close of poll, prior to leaving the polling station. Webcasting facility at almost all polling stations helped ensure constant vigil of the polling process. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experts Urge Seniors With Muscle Loss To Take This Key Nutrient Daily Native Creatine Learn More Undo Special Summary Revision (SSR) of the electoral rolls was conducted before the bye-polls for the first time in nearly two decades. The successful implementation of the above-mentioned measures in the bye-polls paves the way for their replication in the ensuing Bihar assembly election. For the first time, simple pigeonhole boxes or jute bags were provided at the entrance door of the polling stations to enable the voters to deposit their mobile phones before queueing up to vote. Volunteers were deployed at the polling stations to facilitate the process. The presiding officer of each polling station, in a first, entered the voter turnout on the new ECINET App every two hours on polling day, reducing the time lag in updating of approximate polling trends. This was automatically aggregated at the constituency level. Also, voter turnout data was entered into ECINET by presiding officers immediately before they left the polling station after completion of poll, to ensure that the approximate percentage of votes polled was available on the app constituency-wise after the close of poll. Previously, voter turnout data was collected manually by sector officers and relayed to returning officers (ROs) via phone calls, SMS, or messaging apps. At the close of poll, the presiding officer used to update the final VTR data after completing all other statutory responsibilities. Thus, the polling percentage trends were often updated hours later. The Commission has ensured 100% webcasting of poll-day activities at all polling stations, except one, in the five bye-poll ACs.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Voters to get EPICs within 15 days of electoral roll update
New Delhi: In a move to enhance voter convenience, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that will ensure Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) are delivered within 15 days of any update in the electoral rolls. The reform is part of a series of citizen-centric measures being rolled out by the ECI under the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi. The initiative is geared towards minimising delays, enhancing transparency, and delivering efficient, timely, and trackable voter services. Under the new SOP, the entire process -- from the generation of the EPIC by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) to its delivery at the voter's doorstep -- will be digitally tracked. Voters will receive real-time SMS updates at every stage of the delivery process. To support this, the ECI has deployed a dedicated IT module within its recently launched ECINet platform, replacing the older system and reengineering the workflow to increase operational efficiency. The Department of Posts (DoP) will continue to handle the physical delivery of EPICs.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Electors to get EPICS within 15 days of update in electoral rolls: ECI
ANI 18 Jun 2025, 23:55 GMT+10 New Delhi [India], June 18 (ANI): To ensure faster delivery of Electors Photo Identity Cards (EPICS) to the electors, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) enabling the delivery of EPICs within 15 days of an update in the electoral rolls, including new enrolment of an elector or change in any particulars of an existing elector. The initiative is in line with the various measures being undertaken by the ECI for the convenience of electors as envisaged by the Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, according to a release. The new system will ensure real-time tracking of each stage right from the EPIC generation by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) till the delivery of EPIC to the elector through the Department of Posts (DOP). Electors will also receive notifications via SMS at each stage, keeping them informed about the status of their EPICS, the release stated. For this purpose, ECI has introduced a dedicated IT module on its recently launched ECINet platform. The new IT platform will replace the existing process by re-engineering the current system and streamlining the workflow. DoP's Application Programme Interface (API) will be integrated with the ECINet for seamless delivery. This initiative aims to enhance service delivery while maintaining data security. Providing prompt and efficient electoral services to all its electors is a major focus area for the ECI. It may be recalled that in the past four months, the Commission has taken a slew of initiatives for the benefit of electors and other stakeholders, the release added. (ANI)
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
New system to deliver voter ID cards within 15 days of update in poll rolls: EC
The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) enabling the delivery of voter ID cards within 15 days of an update in the electoral rolls. The Electors Photo Identity Cards or the EPIC cards, would be delivered in case of new enrolment of an elector as well as change in any particulars of an existing elector within 15 days, the poll body said in a statement. The new system will ensure real-time tracking of each stage right from the EPIC generation by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) till the delivery of the voter ID card to the elector through the Department of Posts (DoP). Also Read | ECI sets the ball rolling on linking voter ID card with Aadhaar Voters will also receive notifications via SMS at each stage, keeping them informed about the status of their EPICs. For this purpose, the EC has introduced a dedicated IT module on its recently launched ECINet platform. Seamless delivery The new IT platform will replace the existing process by re-engineering the current system and streamlining the workflow. DoP's Application Programme Interface (API) will be integrated with the ECINet for seamless delivery, the statement said, adding this initiative aims to enhance service delivery while maintaining data security. Providing prompt and efficient electoral services to all its electors is a major focus area for the EC. While Opposition parties, led by the Congress, have alleged manipulations in voter lists, the EC has maintained that the process for additions and deletions is transparent, rigorous, and immune to arbitrary changes. Recently, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had alleged 'industrial scale rigging' in 2024 Maharashtra Assembly polls. Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, while delivering his keynote address at the Stockholm International Conference on 'Electoral Integrity' in Sweden earlier this month, said preparation of electoral rolls in India was one of the world's most 'rigorous and transparent' exercises and elections were held under the close watch of the political parties, candidates, voters, police and media, acting as 'concurrent auditors'.
