Srinagar, Jun 29: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Monday described Booth Level Officers (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,” the CEC remarked, highlighting that the credibility of elections begins with a robust, accurate, and transparent electoral roll.
Kumar visited District Budgam and interacted with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), EROs, AEROs, and other field functionaries of the Election Department at NIFT Budgam, appreciating their dedication and commitment towards strengthening the electoral process at the grassroots level.
The interaction was held as part of the CEC’s three-day official visit to Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at reviewing the electoral process and 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.
During the interaction, 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 is facilitated.
He emphasised the importance of maintaining the purity and accuracy of electoral rolls through continuous updation and verification, and highlighted the significance of technology-enabled initiatives such as ERO Net, which have strengthened electoral roll management.
Interacting with the BLOs, Kumar urged them to continue discharging their duties with dedication, impartiality, and a service-oriented approach. He advised them to remain focused on facts, official processes, and their responsibilities towards electors, and not to be influenced by misinformation or narratives that may create confusion among citizens.
Speaking about India’s electoral framework, CEC Kumar said that India leads the world’s major democracies in ensuring a transparent electoral process, highlighting 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.
The interaction formed part of the CEC’s ongoing visit to Jammu and Kashmir aimed at reviewing electoral preparedness, engaging with stakeholders, and taking feedback from election functionaries at the grassroots level.
