Page 127 - Leap of Faith inside pages with cover (1)

Vision for a New Century Chapter 5

increased sensitivity towards Persons with Disabilities
(PwDs) and suggested strategies for accessible elections.

On December 2, 2018 Sunil Arora took over as the 23 CEC
of India. In his tenure, General Elections 2019 witnessed
record turnout of voters and higher participation of
women as compared to men. Several other new initiatives
include pan-India activation of Voter Helpline Number
1950, Voter Helpline App, C-Vigil, universalisation of
VVPAT, appointment of Special Observers, developing
voluntary code of ethics for social media and introduction
of postal ballot facilities for senior citizens. Amidst COVID
a leap of faith and bold step was taken to conduct Bihar,
Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Puducherry
Legislative Assembly elections following strict safety
protocols and guidelines.

Sushil Chandra took over as the 24 CEC of India on April
13, 2021 during the conduct of elections to legislative
assemblies in five states/UT. The COVID safety protocols Former CEC Sunil Arora presenting Hon’ble President of India Ram Nath Kovind
were further tightened. These elections were successfully with the list of elected members to the 17 Lok Sabha, May 25, 2019

conducted resulting in an impressive turnout. With the Sushil Chandra assumed
spread of the third wave of COVID across the country, ECI charge as the 24 CEC of
India on April 13, 2021
issued further restrictions on physical rallies in elections
to the legislative assemblies of Goa, Manipur, Punjab,
Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand in 2022.
On the initiative of the Commission, major electoral
reforms like provision of quarterly registration of new
voters, voluntary Aadhar related authentication by
electors are being put in place. Further, expenditure
limits of candidates have also been enhanced.
The Commission – at present comprising of CEC Sushil
Chandra, and Election Commissioners Rajiv Kumar and
Lighting of lamp by former CEC O. P. Rawat on National Voters' Day, Anup Chandra Pandey – remains committed to the goal
New Delhi on January 25, 2018 ‘No Voter to be Left Behind’.

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