CEA Holds First Meet with State Cooperative Election Bodies

The Cooperative Election Authority (CEA) convened its first consultative meeting with State Cooperative Election Authorities in New Delhi to foster transparency, fairness, and reforms in cooperative body elections, reinforcing the government’s commitment to strengthening the cooperative sector.

Highlights:

• The Cooperative Election Authority and State Cooperative Election Authorities convened their inaugural consultative meeting in New Delhi.
• Chaired by Shri Devendra Kumar Singh, CEA Chairperson, with participation from five states.
• Discussions included code of conduct, expenditure limits, EVM introduction, and standard election manuals.
• CEA has conducted 159 elections since March 2024, with 69 more underway.
• Quarterly consultative meetings planned to advance reforms.
• Aligns with 2025’s celebration as International Year of Cooperatives.

The Cooperative Election Authority (CEA) today held its first consultative meeting with State Cooperative Election Authorities in New Delhi, marking a key step toward making cooperative body elections more free, fair, and transparent. The meeting, chaired by Shri Devendra Kumar Singh, CEA Chairperson, was attended by State Election Commissioners from Odisha, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Maharashtra, along with CEA Vice Chairperson Shri R. K. Gupta, Cooperative Ombudsman Shri Alok Agarwal, and Ministry of Cooperation Joint Secretary Shri Anand Kumar Jha.

In his address, Shri Devendra Kumar Singh noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah, several reforms have been introduced in the cooperative sector, including the establishment of the CEA. Since its notification on 11 March 2024 under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002 (as amended in 2023), the CEA has conducted 159 elections and is preparing for 69 more.

Highlighting that 2025 is being celebrated as the International Year of Cooperatives, Shri Singh emphasized the need for standardized election manuals, codes of conduct, expenditure limits for candidates, and detailed handbooks for Returning Officers. Discussions also covered the election of delegates, use of symbols and indelible ink, and potential introduction of Electronic Voting Machines in cooperative elections.

The meeting saw active inputs from state representatives, with suggestions aimed at streamlining processes and enhancing transparency. The CEA decided to hold such consultative meetings every three months to drive forward the reform agenda in cooperative elections.

By fostering collaboration between the Centre and states, the initiative underscores the government’s dedication to building a robust, transparent, and democratic cooperative sector.