Ahmedabad, September 11 (Daily Kiran) : Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar stated on September 11 that he will take responsibility for any deficiencies in the voter list, while crediting booth-level officers (BLOs) for maintaining its accuracy. Speaking at the ‘Dialogue with Booth Level Officers’ event held at Gujarat University’s Atal Kalam Hall, Kumar emphasized the pivotal role of BLOs in connecting with voters.
He remarked, “If there are any shortcomings in the voter list, I, as the head of the family, will take responsibility. However, the credit for ensuring the list’s correctness goes to our BLO brothers and sisters.” Kumar referred to BLOs as the most vital members of the Election Commission family, highlighting their direct interaction with voters as a key aspect of the Commission’s identity.
With over 1.1 million BLOs serving approximately 900 million voters nationwide, Kumar noted their essential role in registration, updating voter lists, and encouraging electoral participation. The Election Commission maintains regular communication with its grassroots staff through training programs, meetings, and digital platforms like ECI-Net.
Kumar stressed the importance of keeping the voter list accurate, stating that political parties and their agents participate in the verification process, while BLOs identify absent, transferred, deceased, duplicate, and foreign voters. “Every Indian citizen who has turned 18 should be included in the voter list,” he asserted.
He also mentioned the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, which the Commission uses to ensure the accuracy of the voter list. BLOs directly contact voters at their homes to verify essential information, enhancing the list’s precision through document checks and mapping.
Kumar urged BLOs to regularly review their local voter lists and add new eligible voters. “Whenever you have time, check your area’s voter list and ensure that those who turn 18 are included. This is the greatest service to our nation’s democracy,” he said.
Regarding security measures during the voting and counting process, Kumar explained that electronic voting machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) undergo mock polls in the presence of candidates’ agents before voting starts. Post-voting, results are processed in the presence of these agents, ensuring transparency.
During the counting phase, votes recorded in the EVM are reconciled with those documented on Form 17C, again in the presence of candidates’ counting agents. Kumar highlighted that political parties and candidates have verification opportunities at every stage of the electoral process, reinforcing its transparency.
He concluded by noting that India’s democracy is unique not just because of its size, but also due to its depth, diversity, and vibrancy. Voter awareness and the efforts of election personnel have significantly strengthened democracy.
Sandeep Sagale, Chief Electoral Officer of Gujarat, welcomed Kumar at the event, describing the direct dialogue between the country’s top election official and BLOs as a “golden opportunity.” He emphasized the importance of valuing the experiences, challenges, and suggestions of grassroots BLOs to enhance the electoral process, making it simpler, more transparent, and effective.
Leave a Comment