The Election Commission of India (ECI), launched three bold initiatives that strike at the core of persistent electoral flaws namely outdated rolls, lack of BLO credibility, and voter confusion at the booth level. These reforms are expected to revolutionise the way elections are conducted in the world’s largest democracy.
The initiatives were announced following the high-level Conference of Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) held in March 2025, under the guidance of Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar, with Election Commissioners Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi also present. These forward-thinking measures align with the Commission’s broader mandate to create a clean, inclusive, and transparent electoral system using technology and on-ground accountability.
Three new initiatives by #ECI
☑️Electronic obtaining data of Death registration for updation of electoral rolls
☑️BLOs to get standard photo ID
☑️Voter Information Slips to be made more elector friendly
Read in detail: https://t.co/AMzJoiuvNt pic.twitter.com/BiSDirrk65
— Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) May 1, 2025
1. Electronic Integration of Death Registrations
One of the most transformative steps undertaken is the electronic procurement of death registration data from the Registrar General of India (RGI). For decades, India’s voter rolls have been plagued by the presence of deceased individuals, colloquially referred to as “ghost voters”, leading to bloated electoral lists and creating avenues for impersonation and fraud.
Under this new reform, which derives legal backing from Rule 9 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, and Section 3(5)(b) of the amended Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, the RGI will now share registered death data directly with the ECI.
This seamless data flow will allow Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) to proactively initiate the removal of deceased voters without waiting for third-party intimation or the cumbersome Form 7 process. Crucially, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will still conduct field verification to confirm the identity and avoid wrongful deletion, ensuring a check-and-balance mechanism that blends automation with ground-level scrutiny.
This initiative is expected to have far-reaching impact ahead of the next general elections, helping the ECI clean up the rolls with unprecedented speed and accuracy.
2. Standardised Photo ID Cards for BLOs: Boosting Transparency and Voter Confidence
In a significant step toward citizen trust-building, the Election Commission has directed that all BLOs be issued a uniform, tamper-proof photo identity card, designed for easy recognition during door-to-door voter outreach.
Appointed under Section 13B(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, BLOs are the backbone of the electoral process, often acting as the face of the ECI at the community level. Yet, due to the absence of a standardised identity card, many voters have expressed reluctance or suspicion during home verification visits.
With this directive, BLOs will now be easily identifiable, professional, and accountable—strengthening the credibility of the voter registration process and empowering citizens to engage confidently with official election staff. This reform is especially relevant in rural and semi-urban constituencies where the line between official and unofficial workers often remains blurred.
3. Redesigned Voter Information Slips
To ensure smoother voting-day experiences for citizens, the Commission has redesigned the Voter Information Slip (VIS) to be more elector-friendly. These slips are critical documents that guide voters to the correct polling station and help them confirm their inclusion in the electoral roll.
Under the new format, the Serial Number and Part Number—key identifiers used at polling booths—will be displayed in larger, clearer fonts, making the information easy to read, especially for the elderly, visually impaired, and first-time voters. This small but significant design update is expected to reduce crowding and confusion at polling booths, as voters and officials will be able to quickly locate names and verify credentials.
This initiative also supports broader inclusion goals by ensuring that every citizen, regardless of age or literacy level, can exercise their franchise without hurdles.
Why these reforms matter
These three initiatives are not isolated administrative decisions—they are part of a cohesive national strategy to enhance voter trust, prevent electoral fraud, and modernise India’s electoral infrastructure. With several state assembly elections and the next Lok Sabha polls on the horizon, the timing of these reforms is crucial.
The electronic death data integration will directly address the recurring issue of deceased voters, long exploited for malpractice. Standardising BLO identity will curb impersonation and build trust in the system. Redesigning the VIS will facilitate smoother, faster, and more informed participation on election day.
Together, these reforms signify a broader evolution of the Election Commission’s role—not just as a poll-conducting body but as a guardian of democratic integrity. As Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar aptly put it during the CEO conference: “Reform is not an event—it is a continuous process. Every voter matters, and every vote must be authentic.”
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