The District Election Officers (DEOs) and Returning Officers (ROs) of all the 21 Parliamentary constituencies underwent a two-day training-cum-test programme on how to hold a free and fair election from January 28 to 29 here.

Additional CEO Sachin R Jadav and his team conducted the programme, called Certification Course, attended by 33 DEOs and ROs at the Gopabandhu Academy of Administration with the support of the senior officers of the Premier Academy of Administrators. The programme was held as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI).

On day-one, officers received training on role and responsibility as DEO and RO, electoral roll updation, polling station arrangements, vulnerability mapping, deployment of security forces, scrutiny, withdrawal, model code of conduct and election spending monitoring and other issues.

On day-two, the officers underwent training on Electronic Voting Machine, VVPAT and management of Media, especially keeping vigil on fake news and paid news during the election process. After training, the DEOs and ROs were put to a test and the questions were based on election procedures, code of conduct, nomination, responsibilities of returning officers, guidelines for contestants, constitutional provisions, etc. They were asked objective type questions.

The ECI has started several IT applications, including cVIGIL, for hassle free conduct of free and fair elections. The mobile app cVIGIL is an abbreviation of Vigilant Cititzen and is expected to create a fast-track complaint reception and redressal system. Through this app, citizens can report violations relating to model code of conduct and expenditure violations during the elections.

The DEOs have been asked to respond to cVIGIL complaints with immediate effect, said sources. While the DEOs and ROs faced the test, they are yet to know whether they passed or failed as results were not yet out, said an official.