District Election Officer
Also called: DEO · Topic: Elections and the Electoral System · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
The District Election Officer (DEO) is the officer who supervises all election work in a district. The post is usually held by the District Collector. The DEO coordinates the preparation of electoral rolls, the setting up of polling stations and the conduct of the poll. The DEO works under the state's Chief Electoral Officer. During elections, officials like the DEO are treated as working for the Election Commission, so the ECI can transfer or discipline them.
Example
Before a Lok Sabha election, the Collector of a district, acting as DEO, arranges polling staff and EVMs and plans security for all polling stations in the district.
Don't confuse with
- Returning Officer: runs the election for one constituency, receives nominations and declares the result. The DEO supervises election work across a whole district, which may cover several constituencies.
Related concepts
- Mohinder Singh Gill case
- Gujarat election reference
- Chief Electoral Officer
- Returning Officer
- Presiding Officer
- Election observers