selection from amongst senior civil servants of the state government. Field administration at the
      district and sub-divisional levels in India is run by the District Magistrates (Deputy
      Commissioners/Collectors), Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Revenue Divisional Officers,
      Tehsildars, etc. The Election Commission utilizes these state government officers, for election
      work, by designating them as District Election Officers, Electoral Registration Officers,
      Returning Officers, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers, Assistant Returning Officers, etc.
      During election time, however, they are available to the Commission, more or less, on a full time
      basis.
            During the last 64 years, the Commission has conducted 16 General Elections to the Lok
      Sabha and about 365 General Elections to State Legislative Assemblies, thus facilitating peaceful
      orderly and democratic transfer of power.
            Election Commission of India launched the India International Institute of Democracy and
      Election Management (IIIDEM), an advanced resource centre of learning, research, training and
      extension for electoral democracy and election management. The Institute presently functions
      from New Delhi. Courses are conducted in the Institute for ECI’s field officials and also for
      participants from abroad. The Commission is increasingly sharing its expertise and experience
      with election management bodies of other countries, and providing electoral assistance and
      training based on bilateral requests and multi-lateral arrangements. ECI has MoUs with 16
      countries, besides having MoUs with UNDP, International IDEA and IFES.
      Relevant Website: www.eci.gov.in