Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Shri Gyanesh Kumar today visited District Budgam and interacted with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), EROs, AEROs and other field functionaries of Election Department at National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), appreciating their dedication and commitment towards strengthening the electoral process at the grassroots level.
The interaction was held as a part of the CEC’s three-day official visit to Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at reviewing electoral process, engaging with field functionaries and stakeholders across the UT. The CEC was accompanied by Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, Sanjeev Verma and District Election Officer (Deputy Commissioner), Budgam, Athar Amir Khan.
Senior officers of the District administration and Election Department were also present during the interaction. During the interaction, Shri Gyanesh Kumar described BLOs as the backbone of India’s electoral democracy and acknowledged their crucial role in ensuring accurate electoral rolls, voter facilitation and inclusive participation.
“BLOs truly are the backbone of our electoral process,” remarked the CEC, while highlighting that the credibility of elections begins with a robust, accurate and transparent electoral roll. The CEC appreciated the role of BLOs as the first point of contact between the Election Commission and electors, stating that their field-level engagement plays a vital role in ensuring that every eligible citizen is enrolled and every voter are facilitated.
The CEC emphasized the importance of maintaining the purity and accuracy of electoral rolls through continuous updation and verification. He also highlighted the significance of technology-enabled initiatives such as ERO Net, which have strengthened electoral roll management by improving efficiency, transparency and accessibility.
Interacting with the BLOs, Shri Gyanesh Kumar urged them to continue discharging their duties with dedication, impartiality and a service-oriented approach. He further advised the BLOs to remain focused on facts, official processes and their responsibilities towards electors, and not get influenced by misinformation or narratives that may create confusion among citizens.
He underlined the importance of voter awareness, informed participation and public trust in the democratic process. Speaking about India’s electoral framework, the CEC stated that India leads the world’s major democracies in ensuring a transparent electoral process.
He highlighted that every stage of the election process from preparation of electoral rolls to polling and counting is subjected to regular scrutiny and audit by political parties and candidates, reinforcing transparency and credibility. Shri Gyanesh Kumar also encouraged BLOs to maintain regular engagement with citizens, address their concerns effectively and ensure that electors remain aware of their rights and responsibilities.
The interaction formed part of the CEC’s ongoing visit to Jammu & Kashmir aimed at reviewing electoral preparedness, engaging with stakeholders and taking feedback from election functionaries at the grassroots level.