Srinagar: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Monday interacted with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs) and other election officials in Budgam, appreciating their role in strengthening the electoral process at the grassroots level.
The interaction, held at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), was part of the CEC’s three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to review electoral preparedness and engage with election functionaries across the Union Territory.
The CEC was accompanied by Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) J&K Sanjeev Verma and District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Budgam Athar Amir. Senior officers of the district administration and the Election Department were also present.
Addressing the gathering, Gyanesh Kumar described Booth Level Officers as the backbone of India’s electoral system and highlighted their role in maintaining accurate electoral rolls, facilitating voter services and ensuring inclusive electoral participation.
He stressed the importance of continuous updating and verification of electoral rolls to maintain their accuracy and integrity and highlighted the role of technology-enabled platforms such as ERO Net in improving electoral roll management.
The CEC urged election officials to discharge their responsibilities with dedication, impartiality and a service-oriented approach. He also advised them to rely on official procedures and factual information and not be influenced by misinformation that could create confusion among voters.
Highlighting India’s electoral framework, Kumar said every stage of the election process—from preparation of electoral rolls to polling and counting—is subject to scrutiny by political parties and candidates, helping ensure transparency and credibility.
He also encouraged Booth Level Officers to maintain regular engagement with citizens, address their concerns and promote voter awareness and informed participation in the democratic process.
The interaction formed part of the CEC’s ongoing visit to Jammu and Kashmir to review electoral preparedness and gather feedback from field-level election functionaries.
