Top Maharashtra Poll Official Seeks More Powers for EROs to Handle Voter Discrepancies
The commission partly accepted one request and said further portal flexibility will be made operational if field officers need it.
- Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer Chockalingam wrote to the Election Commission in New Delhi last week, seeking four changes to the ECINet software to restore statutory discretion to Electoral Registration Officers during the Special Intensive Revision.
- The request mirrors concerns raised by Election Commissioners Vivek Joshi and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, who previously flagged that centralized control of ECINet at the Director General level restricted the statutory powers of EROs.
- Chockalingam requested an "Exempted from Hearing" option for electors submitting valid documents to resolve cases of "logical discrepancy" without forcing personal appearances, sparing vulnerable groups unnecessary inconvenience.
- On September 26, after a full Commission meeting, the Election Commission partially addressed the Maharashtra request by authorizing EROs to exempt individuals flagged for "logical discrepancy" from personal hearings.
- The Commission pledged that "in case any further flexibility is required by the field officers, that will be made operational," while implementing broader transparency reforms including circulating meeting agendas and issuing minutes.
21 Articles
21 Articles
ECINet row: Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam seeks ERO powers; Congress targets CEC
Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam has requested modifications to the ECINet software for handling electoral roll anomalies. The proposal allows Electoral Registration Officers to exercise greater discretion regarding discrepancies in voter documentation. As part of the changes, personal hearings for voters can be waived when sufficient documents are submitted.
On September 24, Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S. Chokalingam wrote to ECI officials about issues with the ECINet software. He requested five changes to the software to ensure that the ERO does not face difficulties in exercising its powers granted to it under the law.
Maharashtra poll chief had written letter echoing SIR concerns flagged by ECs
Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer S Chockalingam has asked the Election Commission to modify ECINet software during the SIR exercise. The proposed changes would let local registration officers use existing legal powers with more flexibility.
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