New Delhi: The Cooperative Election Authority (CEA) today held its inaugural consultative meeting with State Cooperative Election Authorities (SCEA) in New Delhi to discuss streamlining the election process in cooperative bodies.
The meeting, chaired by CEA Chairperson Shri Devendra Kumar Singh, focused on developing a transparent and fair electoral mechanism.
Participants included State Election Commissioners from Odisha, Shri Srikanta Prusty, Bihar, Shri Girish Shankar, Tamil Nadu, Shri Dayanand Kataria, Telangana, Shri G. Shrivinas Rao, and Maharashtra Shri Anil Mahadeo Kawade, along with Shri Ashok Gade, Secretary.
Shri R.K. Gupta, CEA Vice Chairperson, and Shri Alok Agarwal, Cooperative Ombudsman, were also present, as was Shri Anand Kumar Jha, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Cooperation.
Shri Devendra Kumar Singh emphasized the need for a standardized manual and code of conduct for cooperative elections. Discussions during the meeting covered a range of topics, including:
- Framing a code of conduct for candidates and Multi-State Cooperative Societies (MSCS).
- Fixing an upper limit on campaign expenditure for contesting candidates.
- Publishing a handbook for Returning Officers.
- The use of symbols for candidates and indelible ink in cooperative elections.
A key proposal from the participating SCEAs was the introduction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in cooperative elections. The CEA has decided to hold these consultative meetings every three months to further the reform process.
The Cooperative Election Authority was established on March 11, 2024, under the provisions of the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act of 2002 and its 2023 amendment. Since its inception, the CEA has conducted 159 elections and is in the process of conducting 69 more.