ECI organises the first national news media conference
NATIONAL: The Election Commission of India (ECI) convened the first All India Media Conference gathering of 380 media professionals from across various states and union territories. The conference, held at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi, Friday, was themed "Connecting Stakeholders, Strengthening Democracy: Role of Media in Elections."
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar delivered a keynote address stressed the commitment of the ECI to uphold elections in accordance with the Constitution of India, the Representation of the People Acts and various directives issued by the ECI.
The CEC underscored the importance of audits in the electoral process highlighting that the Electoral Rolls encompass approximately 95 crore electors and are considered a dynamic entity that evolves continuously. He elaborated on the statutory safeguards involved in the preparation of these rolls, recognizing the contributions of over 12 lakh Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and 15 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs), who act as concurrent auditors ensuring transparency and accuracy in the election process.
Important was mention of recent Assembly Elections, characterized by record voter turnout, which was described as an indication of the electorate's trust in the electoral system and the robustness of Indian democracy. The CEC expressed appreciation for the active participation of electors in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
The conference served the dual purpose of enhancing understanding of electoral processes and promoting the highest standards of transparency within elections. It featured presentations on transparency principles embedded in the Constitution, the Representation of the People Acts of 1950 and 1951, and ECI’s directives.
Participants were introduced to the ECINET platform, which showcases the role of technology in elections, alongside crucial constitutional and legal provisions governing media involvement during electoral events.
Discussions also covered the responsibilities of Booth Level Agents (BLAs), Polling Agents and Counting Agents, placing a significant emphasis on their roles in fostering transparency, political participation and maintaining electoral integrity. Attendees engaged in practical demonstrations that covered Electoral Roll Preparation, Polling Process, and Counting Process, allowing them to gain hands-on experience with statutory forms and procedures integral to the concurrent audit system.
The conference wrapped up with an interactive Q&A session led by CEC Gyanesh Kumar where participants had the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarifications regarding the electoral processes discussed.