New Delhi, Apr 09: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Wednesday said the media has a critical role in the electoral process. He underscored the importance of factual, timely and transparent communication in maintaining voter confidence, particularly in an era defined by the rapid spread of information.
“Media officers must rise to the challenge of ensuring voters are correctly informed and capable of distinguishing fact from unfounded narratives,” the CEC said during an orientation programme for Media Nodal Officers, Social Media Nodal Officers, and District Public Relations Officers (DPROs) from across the country.
The event witnessed participation from officers representing 28 States and 8 Union Territories.
The orientation programme focused on developing robust communication strategies, promoting voter awareness and countering misinformation across multiple platforms. The training was conducted within the ambit of the legal framework comprising the Representation of the People Acts, 1950 & 1951, Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, Conduct of Election Rules, 1961, and relevant ECI guidelines.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Election Commission of India (ECI) initiated a two-day National Training Programme at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) in New Delhi as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance the preparedness and capacity of election officials. The training commenced on Wednesday, April 09, 2025, and includes 217 Booth Level Officers (BLOs), along with 2 District Election Officers (DEOs) and 12 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) from West Bengal.
This programme is a direct outcome of the Commission’s commitment to strengthening grassroots electoral functionaries, as emphasised during the Chief Electoral Officers’ (CEOs) Conference held at IIIDEM on March 4, 2025, the ECI said in a statement issued here.
“The ECI’s ongoing training and orientation programmes are part of its strategic approach to ensure free, fair, and informed elections, reaffirming its commitment to electoral integrity and voter empowerment, the statement said,” the statement added.
