Election Commission Holds Training Workshop for IAS Officers
The Election Commission of India (ECI) conducted a day-long Orientation Workshop for IAS officers of the 2016 Batch in New Delhi on Friday.
The workshop was aimed at familiarizing the officers with all facets of electoral management before they are required to handle crucial assignments in conducting elections in their field postings.
Addressing the officers, Chief Election Commissioner Om Prakash Rawat reminded them of the IAS Academy theme song “Hao Dharmete Dheer, Hao Karomete Bir Hao Unnato Shir—Naahi Bhay.”
“Be firm in your faith, be courageous in action, keep your head erect—fear not”) exhorting them to fearlessly shoulder their responsibilities in the coming days.
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Rawat asked the officers to be prepared for facing the newer challenges like data harvesting; targeted messaging and profiling; money and media influencers.
He advised the officers to facilitate all stakeholders but to enforce discipline without laxity and with firmness, assuring them that the Commission would always back the officers upholding the law.
Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa in his address to the officers reiterated the values of impartiality and neutrality in their conduct in ensuring lawful decisions even under trying circumstances to deliver the best possible services to the people of India.
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He said practical application of all the rules imparted in the workshop, along with their ability to harness technology, would stand them in good stead when they need to be the Commission’s interface with voters on the field.
The workshop covered sessions on election planning; deployment of observers; Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) activities; process of drawing up the Electoral Rolls; Polling Stations Management; Use of Information and Communication Technology in electoral process and Knowledge of Legal framework.
The sessions also included an exposure on key instructions and guidelines of the ECI’s Model Code of Conduct; Handling of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and VVPATs issues; Expenditure Management as also Media and Social Media related aspects.
