Election Commission’s 2025 Reforms Aim to Empower Voters and Clean Electoral Rolls

Why This Reform Was Needed

Election Commission’s 2025 Reforms Aim to Empower Voters and Clean Electoral Rolls: To ensure a smoother and more transparent electoral experience, the Election Commission of India (ECI) introduced three major reforms on May 1, 2025. These changes are designed to reduce voter confusion, remove ineligible names from electoral rolls, and improve public trust in election staff. With a growing voter base of over 90 crore, accuracy and accessibility in electoral processes have become more crucial than ever. Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar emphasized the need for these changes at a recent conference with electoral officers from across the country.

Real-Time Death Data Integration to Clean Electoral Rolls

A major reform includes integrating death registration data directly from the Registrar General of India into the electoral roll system. This allows for the timely removal of deceased voters, reducing the chances of duplication and fraud. The legal backing for this integration comes from Rule 9 of the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, and Section 3(5)(b) of the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969, which was amended in 2023. Importantly, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) will verify this data on the ground, making the process faster and more reliable without waiting for manual applications via Form 7.

Voter Information Slips (VIS) Become More User-Friendly

The updated Voter Information Slips (VIS) will now display serial and part numbers in larger, clearer fonts. This small design change is expected to significantly help voters, especially the elderly and first-timers, to easily locate their names and polling stations on election day. Even polling officials will benefit from this clarity, as it will speed up the identification process at booths and reduce long queues. The ECI’s focus is not only on technology but also on the usability of election materials for the average voter.

BLOs Get Official Photo ID Cards

To improve citizen trust in voter verification processes, all Booth Level Officers will now carry standard photo ID cards. Issued under Section 13B(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, these cards will help voters clearly identify who is officially authorized to collect or verify voter data. This will reduce confusion during house-to-house verification drives, increase transparency, and ensure voters feel confident in sharing information with legitimate officials. It marks a key shift in how grassroots electoral operations are perceived.

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Election Commission’s 2025 Reforms Aim to Empower Voters and Clean Electoral Rolls: