• Bill Seeking Ban on Alcohol in J&K to be Introduced in Assembly
  • PDP MLA from Kupwara, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, has submitted a Private Member’s Bill seeking a complete ban on liquor in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The bill, set to be introduced in the upcoming budget session of the J&K Assembly, proposes prohibition on the advertisement, sale, purchase, consumption, and manufacture of alcoholic beverages in the Union Territory.
  • Mir warned that the rising alcohol consumption poses a serious threat to society, stressing the need for strict legislation to curb the trend. The bill also proposes harsh penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for violations.

ECI Launches 2-Day Training at IIIDEM to Enhance Ground-Level Electoral Preparedness

Published on April 30, 2025

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JAMMU, April 30:
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar today inaugurated a two-day capacity-building programme for Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) and Booth Level Officers (BLOs) at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM), New Delhi, as part of the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) comprehensive efforts to strengthen preparedness for the upcoming General Assembly Elections.

The training session includes 369 field-level election officers from Bihar, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. It is designed to deepen officials’ understanding of voter registration protocols, form processing, and accurate implementation of electoral guidelines in the field.

Addressing the participants, the CEC underlined the vital role of EROs, BLOs, and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) in maintaining error-free and updated electoral rolls. He stressed adherence to the Representation of People Act, 1950, the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, and relevant ECI directives.

Earlier this month, the ECI also organized training for 280 BLAs from 10 recognized political parties in Bihar, further strengthening the commission’s outreach.

This training features practical modules including form-filling exercises for Forms 6, 6A, 7, and 8, mock house-to-house survey simulations, and role plays. Participants will also be introduced to digital tools like the Voter Helpline App (VHA) and BLO App, enhancing digital governance at grassroots levels.

Additionally, the sessions include technical training on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), and detailed guidance on first and second appeal procedures under Section 24(a) and 24(b) of the RP Act, 1950. It is notable that no appeals were received from the participating states after the Special Summary Revision (SSR) concluded in January 2025.

The program is being led by National Level Master Trainers (NLMTs) and domain experts from the IT and EVM divisions of ECI. Through interactive and scenario-based learning, the trainers aim to reduce field-level errors and improve electoral accuracy.

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  • Bill Seeking Ban on Alcohol in J&K to be Introduced in Assembly
  • PDP MLA from Kupwara, Fayaz Ahmad Mir, has submitted a Private Member’s Bill seeking a complete ban on liquor in Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The bill, set to be introduced in the upcoming budget session of the J&K Assembly, proposes prohibition on the advertisement, sale, purchase, consumption, and manufacture of alcoholic beverages in the Union Territory.
  • Mir warned that the rising alcohol consumption poses a serious threat to society, stressing the need for strict legislation to curb the trend. The bill also proposes harsh penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for violations.