Srinagar, June 29: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Monday described Booth Level Officers (BLOs) as the “backbone of the electoral process” during an interaction with election functionaries in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, while reviewing grassroots electoral preparedness and urging voters to actively participate in the democratic process.
Interacting with BLOs, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) and other election functionaries on the second day of his three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the CEC lauded their dedication and hard work, saying they play a crucial role in ensuring free, fair and inclusive elections by maintaining accurate electoral rolls, facilitating voter registration and strengthening democratic institutions at the grassroots.
“BLOs truly are the backbone of our electoral process,” Kumar said, appreciating their contribution to the smooth conduct of elections and noting that the credibility of elections begins with a robust, accurate and transparent electoral roll.
He said BLOs serve as the first point of contact between the Election Commission and electors, and their field-level engagement ensures that every eligible citizen is enrolled and every voter is facilitated.
The CEC stressed the importance of maintaining the purity and accuracy of electoral rolls through continuous updation and verification. He also highlighted the role of technology-enabled initiatives such as **ERONet** in improving the efficiency, transparency and accessibility of electoral roll management.
Urging BLOs to continue discharging their responsibilities with dedication, impartiality and a service-oriented approach, Kumar advised them to remain focused on facts and official procedures and not be influenced by misinformation or misleading narratives that could create confusion among citizens. He also underlined the importance of voter awareness, informed participation and public trust in the democratic process.
Speaking to reporters, the Chief Election Commissioner appealed to the people of Jammu and Kashmir to actively participate in the democratic process.
“I wish to call upon J&K voters to participate in democracy. We have held talks with Booth Level Officers, who are the pillars of democracy, in Budgam,” he said.
Kumar said discussions also focused on the preparation of electoral rolls, describing the voters’ list as one of the most transparent components of India’s electoral system.
“We also discussed issues related to the crucial aspect of the most transparent elections in the world, that is the voters’ list, besides elections and counting that are audited concurrently by political parties and candidates,” he said.
During the visit, the CEC reviewed electoral initiatives being implemented at the grassroots level and interacted with field-level election officials to assess electoral management and preparedness. The visit is part of the Election Commission of India’s ongoing efforts to strengthen engagement with voters and election functionaries, enhance field-level preparedness, promote electoral awareness and improve coordination across the country.
Gyanesh Kumar arrived in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday and was received at Srinagar airport by Chief Electoral Officer Sanjeev Verma, Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Budgam Athar Aamir Khan, and senior officers of the Election Department and the administration.
The CEC, who assumed office as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner of India on February 19, 2025, has been visiting various parts of the Valley to interact with electoral stakeholders and review the functioning of the election machinery at the grassroots level.
