To improve purity of voters' list, EC to seek list of registered deaths from RGI electronically

New Delhi: Seeking to ensure greater purity of electoral rolls, the Election Commission will now obtain death registration data electronically from the Registrar General of India for faster and accurate updation of voters' list. The EC said on Thursday this will ensure that the Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) receive timely information about registered deaths and allow booth level officers (BLOs) to re-verify the information through field visits, without waiting for a formal request by the kin of the deceased.

The poll panel has the authority under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960 and the Registration of Births and Deaths Act, 1969 to seek such details. To make voter information slips (VIS) more voter friendly, the Commission has also decided to modify its design. The serial number and part number of the voter will now be displayed more prominently, with increased font size, making it easier for voters to identify their polling station and for polling officials to locate their names in the electoral roll efficiently. The Commission has also directed that all BLOs, who are appointed by the EROs be issued standard photo identity cards to ensure that citizens can recognise and interact confidently with them during voter verification and registration drives. As the first interface between the voters and the ECI in performing election related duties, it is important that BLOs are easily identifiable to the public while conducting house-to-house visits.