EC's ECINET to be 'fully operational' by Bihar polls

New Delhi: Election Commission's new digital interface 'ECINET', which subsumes existing 40 mobile and web applications, will be fully operational by the Bihar Assembly elections later this year though some of the modules will be ready for use during the June 19 by-polls.

The ECINET, which will have an aesthetic User Interface and a simplified User Experience by providing a singular platform for all electoral-related activities, is among the 21 initiatives rolled out by the EC in the past 100 days after Gyanesh Kumar took over as Chief Election Commissioner.

EC officials said these measures span procedural reforms, training programmes and stakeholder engagement.

Some of the initiatives also include integration of death registration data from the Registrar General of India to enable timely and verified removal of deceased electors from the rolls as well as revised the maximum number of electors per polling station from 1,500 to 1,200.

During this period, the EC also took a decision to set up additional polling booths in densely populated areas such as gated communities and high-rise buildings. The poll body also aims to ensure that no voter is required to travel more than two km to exercise their franchise.

Voter Information Slips have been made voter-friendly besides allowing voters to carry mobile phones till the entrance of polling stations. Parties and candidates have been allowed to set up booths to distribute unofficial voter identification slips at 100 metres from the polling station entrance.

Special Summary Revision has also been conducted ahead of a by-election for the first time.

The EC also conducted 4,719 meetings across the country as part of regular interaction with political stakeholders and in this, over 28,000 political party representatives participated. These included 40 meetings at the CEO level, 800 at the DEO level, and 3,879 at the ERO level.

It also held consultations in New Delhi with leaders of recognised political parties, including AAP, BJP, BSP, CPI(M), and NPP, with more meetings with the national parties and state parties planned after the current by-polls.