Mysuru: With the State Assembly Polls just a couple of months away, the Election Commission of India (ECI) in association with the State Election Commission (SEC) has organised a 6-week training programme for Returning Officers (ROs) and Assistant Returning Officers (AROs).

A total of 600 ROs and AROs from across the State will take part in the training programme scheduled to be held from Jan.8 to Feb.22 at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI) on Lalitha Mahal Road in city.

The ECI has reached an understanding with ATI on training ROs and AROs by master trainers who are certified by the ECI.

Ahead of the Training Programme, Deputy Commissioner (DC) D. Randeep this morning visited the ATI to review the preparations. He took stock of the arrangements and the technological apparatus necessary for the training programme.

The 6-week training will be held in 6 sessions of 4 days each, with 100 ROs and AROs undergoing training in one session in two batches of 50 each.

The first session will be from Jan.8 to 11, second from Jan. 16 to 19, third from Jan.29 to Feb.1, fourth from Feb.5 to 8, fifth from Feb.12 to 15 and the sixth from Feb.19 to 22.

During the course of training, the ROs and AROs will be sensitised on every aspect of the election process right from voter list, verification functioning of EVMs, VVPAT, booth security, safety of strong rooms etc., to the counting table.

The training programme also features a 3-day workshop from Feb.20 to 22. The ROs, AROs and master trainers will be lodged at Kabini and Kapila Guest Houses in ATI premises.

ATI Joint Director (Training) V. Bhagyavathi, Chief Co-ordinator Loknath and other officials acompanied the DC.

Voter registration deadline extended

The Election Commission has extended the deadline for fresh voter registration, addition and deletion of names, corrections, transfer etc., to Jan.12.

Accordingly, youths who have completed 18 years of age as on Jan.1, 2018, can register by submitting the prescribed Form No.6 along with relevant documents at the respective polling booths until Jan.12.

Those intending to register, should carry two passport size photographs and enter part and serial numbers of previously registered voters from their families and their residential address proof and age proof (SSLC marks card) in Form No.6. The applicants are also required to fill all columns in Form No. 6 meant for first time registration of voters.

Form No.7 is meant for deletion of names from voter list, Form No.8 for corrections and Form No. 8A for change of address within an Assembly constituency. The applications must be submitted to the assigned officer in their respective polling booths.

Those who have applied for fresh voter registration in the drive that was held between Oct. 24, 2017 to Dec. 29, 2017 need not apply again.

The public can contact the Election Branch of MCC.