Electoral Registration Officer

Polity & Governance glossary

Also called: ERO · Topic: Elections and the Electoral System · NCERT: Beyond NCERT

Meaning

An Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) is the government officer in charge of the voters' list for an assembly constituency. The ERO is usually of SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) rank and works under the Representation of the People Act 1950. The ERO prepares and revises the electoral roll. The ERO also decides claims (requests to add a name) and objections (requests to remove one). The ERO's orders decide who is on the list, and only people on the list can vote.

Example

A young voter files Form 6 to add their name, and a neighbour files Form 7 to object to a dead person's entry. Booth Level Officers check both on the ground. The ERO hears both and decides whether to add or delete the names.

Don't confuse with

  • Returning Officer: runs the election in a constituency. The Returning Officer checks nominations, conducts the poll and count, and declares the result. The ERO deals only with the voters' list.
  • Booth Level Officer: a field worker who checks voters door to door under the ERO. The BLO does not decide claims and objections.

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