Electoral Registration Officer

An Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) is the statutory authority responsible for maintaining the electoral roll of a constituency. Designated under the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the ERO decides questions of inclusion, correction, transposition and deletion through the prescribed process.

Preparation and revision of rolls

Under Section 21, the ERO prepares and revises the electoral roll in the prescribed manner. Revision is ordinarily undertaken before general elections and bye-elections, while the Election Commission may direct a special revision.

• The ERO publishes the draft roll, receives claims and objections, and ensures final publication according to the prescribed procedure.
• The ERO applies the statutory conditions concerning qualification, disqualification, ordinary residence and prohibition of multiple registration.

Correction, deletion and inclusion

Under Section 22, after inquiry, the ERO may correct an erroneous or defective entry, transpose an entry within the constituency, or delete the name of a person who has died, ceased to be ordinarily resident, or is otherwise not entitled to registration. Under Section 23, the ERO may include an eligible applicant whose name is absent.

• A person must receive a reasonable opportunity of being heard before an action prejudicial to that person is taken.
• Where an applicant is registered elsewhere, the statutory process removes the duplicate entry after verification.

Inquiry powers and statutory limits

For deciding claims and objections, the ERO conducts a summary inquiry, may take evidence on oath, require attendance of witnesses and call for documents under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

• No correction, transposition, deletion or inclusion may be made after the last date for nominations and before completion of the election.
• Orders concerning correction or inclusion are appealable under Section 24, first to the designated district authority and then to the Chief Electoral Officer.
• The ERO exercises these powers subject to the superintendence, direction and control of the Election Commission.