.jpg)
Major Improvements Needed in ECINet Software; Maharashtra’s Chief Electoral Officer S. Chockalingam Writes to Election Commission of India
Mumbai: Maharashtra’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S. Chockalingam has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding issues with the ECINet software. In the letter sent on September 24, he has requested five key changes to the system.
Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are legally empowered to make certain specific decisions. However, Chockalingam noted in the letter that the current ECINet system lacks the necessary options to exercise these powers. The letter has been addressed to senior Commission officials, including Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Manish Garg, DG (IT) Seema Khanna, Pawan Dewan, and A. K. Pathak.
Key Demands
1. Option for exemption from hearing
The ERO has the authority to decide whether or not an individual needs to appear for a hearing. However, the ECINet system does not currently offer an option for 'exemption from hearing.' A request has therefore been made to include this option.
2. Option for 'Other Equivalent Document'
A list of 13 documents is provided on the reverse side of the notice. Pointing out that this list is neither exhaustive nor final, Chockalingam has requested the inclusion of 'Other Equivalent Document' as a 14th option. Transgender persons, sex workers, or homeless individuals may not possess any of the 13 listed documents. He stated that there should be a provision to accept other equivalent documents in such cases.
3. Authority to resolve logical discrepancies
Previously, EROs could make decisions regarding name discrepancies based on the responses and *panchanamas* (official records of facts/observations) submitted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs). However, the ECI-Net system does not permit the exercise of such authority. A demand has been raised that the ERO (Electoral Registration Officer) should have the authority to resolve all types of logical inconsistencies.
4. Make the uploading of the latest SIR extract optional
Currently, uploading the extract of the latest SIR (Supplementary Information Record) is mandatory for every discrepancy. This requirement should apply only in cases where there is a discrepancy in the existing records or where the system is unable to perform a match.
5. Optional provisions regarding FAQs and decisions/appeals
A demand has also been made to provide flexible options regarding Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and matters concerning decisions or appeals.
Chokalingam has emphasized in the letter that these improvements are essential to make the ECI-Net system more effective and aligned with legal mandates.
Mumbai: Maharashtra’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) S. Chockalingam has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI) regarding issues with the ECINet software. In the letter sent on September 24, he has requested five key changes to the system.
Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are legally empowered to make certain specific decisions. However, Chockalingam noted in the letter that the current ECINet system lacks the necessary options to exercise these powers. The letter has been addressed to senior Commission officials, including Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Manish Garg, DG (IT) Seema Khanna, Pawan Dewan, and A. K. Pathak.
Key Demands
1. Option for exemption from hearing
The ERO has the authority to decide whether or not an individual needs to appear for a hearing. However, the ECINet system does not currently offer an option for 'exemption from hearing.' A request has therefore been made to include this option.
2. Option for 'Other Equivalent Document'
A list of 13 documents is provided on the reverse side of the notice. Pointing out that this list is neither exhaustive nor final, Chockalingam has requested the inclusion of 'Other Equivalent Document' as a 14th option. Transgender persons, sex workers, or homeless individuals may not possess any of the 13 listed documents. He stated that there should be a provision to accept other equivalent documents in such cases.
3. Authority to resolve logical discrepancies
Previously, EROs could make decisions regarding name discrepancies based on the responses and *panchanamas* (official records of facts/observations) submitted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs). However, the ECI-Net system does not permit the exercise of such authority. A demand has been raised that the ERO (Electoral Registration Officer) should have the authority to resolve all types of logical inconsistencies.
4. Make the uploading of the latest SIR extract optional
Currently, uploading the extract of the latest SIR (Supplementary Information Record) is mandatory for every discrepancy. This requirement should apply only in cases where there is a discrepancy in the existing records or where the system is unable to perform a match.
5. Optional provisions regarding FAQs and decisions/appeals
A demand has also been made to provide flexible options regarding Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and matters concerning decisions or appeals.
Chokalingam has emphasized in the letter that these improvements are essential to make the ECI-Net system more effective and aligned with legal mandates.
Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) are legally empowered to make certain specific decisions. However, Chockalingam noted in the letter that the current ECINet system lacks the necessary options to exercise these powers. The letter has been addressed to senior Commission officials, including Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Manish Garg, DG (IT) Seema Khanna, Pawan Dewan, and A. K. Pathak.
Key Demands
1. Option for exemption from hearing
The ERO has the authority to decide whether or not an individual needs to appear for a hearing. However, the ECINet system does not currently offer an option for 'exemption from hearing.' A request has therefore been made to include this option.
2. Option for 'Other Equivalent Document'
A list of 13 documents is provided on the reverse side of the notice. Pointing out that this list is neither exhaustive nor final, Chockalingam has requested the inclusion of 'Other Equivalent Document' as a 14th option. Transgender persons, sex workers, or homeless individuals may not possess any of the 13 listed documents. He stated that there should be a provision to accept other equivalent documents in such cases.
3. Authority to resolve logical discrepancies
Previously, EROs could make decisions regarding name discrepancies based on the responses and *panchanamas* (official records of facts/observations) submitted by Booth Level Officers (BLOs). However, the ECI-Net system does not permit the exercise of such authority. A demand has been raised that the ERO (Electoral Registration Officer) should have the authority to resolve all types of logical inconsistencies.
4. Make the uploading of the latest SIR extract optional
Currently, uploading the extract of the latest SIR (Supplementary Information Record) is mandatory for every discrepancy. This requirement should apply only in cases where there is a discrepancy in the existing records or where the system is unable to perform a match.
5. Optional provisions regarding FAQs and decisions/appeals
A demand has also been made to provide flexible options regarding Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and matters concerning decisions or appeals.
Chokalingam has emphasized in the letter that these improvements are essential to make the ECI-Net system more effective and aligned with legal mandates.
