Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar visits Budgam and praises dedication of booth level officers

SRINAGAR, June 29 — Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar today visited District Budgam and interacted with Booth Level Officers, EROs, AEROs, and other field functionaries of the Election Department at the National Institute of Fashion Technology, appreciating their dedication and commitment towards strengthening the electoral process at the grassroots level.

The interaction was held as part of a three-day official visit to Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at reviewing the electoral process and engaging with field functionaries and stakeholders across the Union Territory. The Chief Election Commissioner was accompanied by Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, Sanjeev Verma and District Election Officer, Budgam, Athar Amir, along with senior officers of the district administration and the Election Department.

During the interaction, Gyanesh Kumar described booth level officers as the backbone of India’s electoral democracy and acknowledged their crucial role in ensuring accurate electoral rolls, voter facilitation, and inclusive participation. He remarked that the credibility of elections begins with a robust, accurate, and transparent electoral roll, appreciating their role as the first point of contact between the Election Commission and electors.

The Chief Election Commissioner emphasized the importance of maintaining the purity and accuracy of electoral rolls through continuous updates and verification, highlighting the significance of technology-enabled initiatives such as ERO Net in improving efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.Interacting with the booth level officers, Gyanesh 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, rather than getting 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 the national electoral framework, he stated that India leads the world’s major democracies in ensuring a transparent electoral process, highlighting that every stage from the preparation of electoral rolls to polling and counting is subjected to regular scrutiny and audit by political parties and candidates to reinforce transparency and credibility.