In a significant move to enhance the integrity of India's electoral process, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday unveiled three key initiatives aimed at strengthening the electoral process.
These initiatives were introduced following the Conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) held in March, chaired by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners Dr Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr Vivek Joshi.
What Are The Three Key Reforms
The reforms focus on integrating electronic death registration data to promptly remove deceased voters from electoral rolls, redesigning Voter Information Slips for better usability, and issuing standardised photo identity cards to Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to strengthen voter outreach."The move to link electoral rolls with birth and death registrations will ensure accuracy and help in updating data efficiently," the poll panel said in a statement.

Key Reforms
1. Death Registration Data Electronically
The Commission will now obtain death registration data electronically from the Registrar General of India in line with Rule 9 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 and Section 3(5)(b) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 (as amended in 2023). This will ensure that the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) receive timely information about registered deaths. This will also enable Booth Level Officers (BLOs) to re-verify the information through field visits, without waiting for a formal request under Form 7.
2. Redesigning Voter Information Slips
To make Voter Information Slips (VIS) more voter friendly, the Commission has also decided to modify its design. The serial number and part number of the voter will now be displayed more prominently, with increased font size, making it easier for voters to identify their polling station and for polling officials to locate their names in the electoral roll efficiently.
3. Standardised Photo Identity Cards To Booth Level Officers
The Commission has directed that all BLOs, who are appointed by the EROs under Section 13B(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, be issued standard photo identity cards to ensure that citizens can recognise and interact confidently with BLOs during voter verification and registration drives. As the first interface between the voters and the ECI in performing election related duties, it is important that BLOs are easily identifiable to the public while conducting house-to-house visits.