To enhance the accuracy of voter lists and improve election-related services, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has introduced three key initiatives to strengthen the electoral system. These reforms were revealed after the Conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) in March, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and attended by Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi, according to a press release issued on Thursday.

A major initiative involves electronically obtaining death registration data from the Registrar General of India. This reform, 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 (updated in 2023), will allow Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to receive up-to-date information on registered deaths. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will then confirm this data through field checks, bypassing the need for formal applications under Form 7. This approach aims to improve the accuracy of electoral rolls by quickly removing the names of deceased individuals.

The Commission has updated the Voter Information Slip (VIS) to enhance the voting process. The redesigned slip now has larger fonts for the voter’s serial and part numbers, making it easier for voters to find their polling stations and helping officials quickly locate voter details in the rolls. 

To improve voter engagement and trust, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has instructed that all Booth Level Officers (BLOs) be provided with standardised photo identity cards. BLOs, appointed under Section 13B(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, serve as the main point of contact between voters and the Commission. The new ID cards will help make BLOs easily identifiable during door-to-door visits, promoting trust and ensuring smoother interactions during voter verification and registration efforts.