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Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Media crucial in boosting voter turnout: ECI
Vijayawada: Elections are paramount in establishing governments elected by the people in a democratic system, and media plays a crucial role in increasing voter turnout during these elections, said P Pawan, deputy director (media division) of the Election Commission of India (ECI). He urged regional media representatives to collaborate with the ECI to expand its communication reach and impact at the regional level, thereby empowering voters. A face-to-face programme was held on Friday at the Secretariat involving representatives from print, electronic, and social media. Pawan was the chief guest and engaged in an interactive session with media personnel. During the discussion, Pawan elaborated on 23 new initiatives undertaken by the ECI to strengthen the electoral process in a democratic system. He also detailed the facilities provided to voters, political parties, and election staff, along with procedural reforms, legal measures, and ECI's new innovations and resources. Referring to the key reforms and initiatives, Pawan said that a Special Summary Revision (SSR) programme is being conducted before the by-elections after nearly 20 years. Voter information slips will be more useful, clearly showing the voter's serial and part numbers. Data from the RGI (Registrar General of India) database regarding death registrations will be collected and, after verification, changes will be made to the voter list. A maximum of 1,200 voters are allowed per polling station. Mobile deposit facilities for voters and additional polling booths in apartments/colonies are also being arranged. The campaign distance limit from the polling station entrance has been reduced to 100 metres. A total of 4,719 meetings were held nationwide with all parties at the CEO/DEO/ERO levels, with over 28,000 political party representatives participating. The digitisation of Voter Trend Reports (VTR), index cards, and statistical reports is being expedited for faster dissemination. A new comprehensive dashboard, ECINET, has been launched, replacing over 40 apps/websites with a single application to provide all services in one place simultaneously. The implementation of a unique EPIC number system has resolved the issue of duplicate EPIC numbers. A national conference of lawyers and CEOs is being organised to strengthen the ECI's legal framework and review laws. A total of 28 stakeholder categories (voters, officials, parties, candidates and others) have been identified for training programmes based on the Representation of the People Acts (1950, 1951), Registration of Electors Rules (1960), Conduct of Elections Rules (1961), and ECI guidelines. Pawan also mentioned that information related to the Election Commission of India and the electoral process is made available to citizens through various websites and social media platforms.
India Gazette
3 days 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)
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Business Standard
04-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
EC launches new system for faster, accurate voter turnout reporting
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced a new, technology-based system to provide real-time updates on approximate voter turnout trends, aimed at reducing the delays associated with the earlier manual reporting process. In a press statement, the poll body emphasised that the move aligns with the Commission's commitment to timely public communication — a priority frequently highlighted by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Under Rule 49S of the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961, Presiding Officers (PROs) are still required to submit Form 17C, which contains the account of votes recorded, to the polling agents nominated by candidates at the close of polling. 'While this legal requirement remains unchanged, the process of updating the VTR app, which had evolved as a facilitative, non-statutory mechanism to keep the public informed of the approximate voter turnout percentage trends, is being streamlined to ensure faster updation,' the Election Commission said. ECINET app to reduce time lag Under the new system, each Presiding Officer at every polling station will enter voter turnout data into the new ECINET app every two hours on polling day. This change is expected to cut the time lag significantly, allowing data to be aggregated automatically at the constituency level. The approximate voting percentage trends will continue to be published at two-hour intervals, as before. Voter turnout data will now be entered into ECINET by the PROs immediately after the close of poll, before they leave the polling station. This will help ensure that the approximate percentage of votes polled is available on the updated VTR app at the constituency level right after polls close, subject to network connectivity. 'Where mobile networks are unavailable, entries can be made offline and synced once connectivity is restored. This updated VTR app will become an integral part of ECINET before the Bihar elections,' the poll body mentioned. Use of the new ECINET app * PROs will now enter voter turnout data directly into the ECINET app every two hours on polling day. * This data will be automatically aggregated at the constituency level and published every two hours. * PROs must enter final turnout data into ECINET immediately after polls close, before leaving the station. * ECINET allows offline data entry in areas with no network, which syncs once connectivity returns.
Hindustan Times
04-06-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Election Commission announces new system for timely voter turnout reporting
The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced a new system Tuesday to minimize the time lag associated with the earlier manual method, according to a press release issued by the poll body. The new system will reduce delays and increase transparency in the sharing of approximate voter turnout data during elections. People familiar with the development said the commission will implement the process during the upcoming Bihar elections through the ECINET application--a one-stop digital interface that aims to integrate more than 40 of ECI's existing mobile and web applications. The commission stated that the change was aimed at ensuring timely public communication via the Voter Turnout (VTR) App, though it emphasised that the data-sharing process is not backed by statute and functions purely as a facilitative measure. Also Read: Petitioners urge poll panel to refuse RS election nominations by AIADMK 'Under this new initiative, the presiding officer of each polling station will now be directly entering voter turnout on the new ECINET App every two hours on polling day to reduce the time lag in the updation of the approximate polling trends. This will be automatically aggregated at the constituency level. The approximate voting percentage trends will continue to be published every two hours before [reducing the time taken to update the exact voting percentage at a later stage],' the commission said in its release. The VTR App, built by the commission in 2019, is used to share aggregated approximate voter turnout data. Previously, sector magistrates or officers--each covering 10-12 polling stations--collected the voter turnout data manually and relayed it to Returning Officers, who are in charge of one or two constituencies and responsible for declaring elected candidates. This was done via phone calls, SMS, or messaging apps and the data was then aggregated every two hours and uploaded to the App. However, polling percentage trends were often updated hours later due to physical records arriving late at night or even the next day. Under the statutory framework of the Conduct of Elections Rules, the Presiding Officers are required to furnish Form 17C--which details the account of votes recorded--to booth-level agents nominated by political parties, who are present at the polling station at the close of polls. 'Notably, voter turnout data will now be entered into ECINET by Presiding Officers immediately after the close of poll, before they leave the polling station, which will reduce the delays and ensure that the updated approximate percentage of votes polled would be available...[however, the process is] subject to network connectivity. Where mobile networks are unavailable, entries can be made offline and synced once connectivity is restored', the poll watchdog said. The commission explained that after the polls, the safe depositing of EVMs and election papers in strongrooms is prioritised. Once complete, the returning officers will then collect voter turnout data from Presiding Officers of each polling booth and begin entering the close of poll data into the VTR App. '[In this process] the updated voter turnout starts continuously reflecting on the VTR App again from 7 pm onwards. [Also] polling teams come from varying distances and face different logistical challenges, such as late-hour voting trends, difficult geographical and weather conditions, communication issues, and tough terrain. As a result, voter turnout data is received at different times in the evening of polling day, sometimes overnight, and occasionally even the next day,' the commission had said.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Election Commission plans faster, more transparent turnout updates ahead of Bihar polls
Following criticism over past delays, the Election Commission has revamped its voter turnout reporting system. Presiding Officers will now directly enter turnout figures into the ECINET app every two hours on polling day, ensuring faster and more accurate updates. This revised process, to be implemented before the Bihar assembly elections, aims to reduce reporting delays and improve transparency. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Nearly a year after facing flak over delays in publishing voter turnout (VTR) data during the Lok Sabha elections, the Election Commission has overhauled its reporting system to ensure faster and more transparent the new mechanism, the Presiding Officer (PRO) at each polling station will now enter turnout figures directly into the ECINET app every two hours on polling day. The data will be automatically aggregated at the constituency level, allowing the EC to continue publishing approximate turnout trends every two hours, as earlier - but with greater accuracy and reduced revised process will be implemented ahead of the Bihar assembly elections scheduled later this year. A key change is that PROs will now enter the final turnout data into ECINET immediately after polls close, before leaving the polling station. This is expected to significantly reduce the reporting delay and make constituency-wise turnout data available promptly on the VTR app, subject to network areas with poor connectivity, offline entries will be synced once the network is restored. The updated VTR app will be integrated into ECINET ahead of the Bihar polls, the poll panel voter turnout data was collected manually by Sector Officers and shared with Returning Officers via calls, SMS, or messaging apps. This often led to delays of 4-5 hours - or more - before turnout trends could be published, contributing to confusion and misperceptions in some the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 (Rule 49S), Presiding Officers (PROs) are legally required to provide Form 17C -- a record of votes cast -- to polling agents at the close of voting. While this statutory provision remains unchanged, the ECI has overhauled the parallel, non-statutory system used to provide approximate voter turnout data through the VTR Commission reiterated that while the approximate trends shown in the VTR App are for public awareness, the official and final data will continue to be based on Form initiative is part of the ECI's ongoing commitment to timely public communication, a priority repeatedly highlighted by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
