Ahmedabad, September 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Friday said any shortcomings in the electoral rolls would be his responsibility as the head of the Election Commission of India, while credit for keeping the rolls accurate and updated should go to Booth Level Officers (BLOs).
“If there is any shortcoming in the electoral roll, the responsibility as the head of the family is mine, but the credit for making the roll proper and accurate goes to our BLO brothers and sisters,” Kumar said while interacting with BLOs at an ‘Interaction with Booth Level Officer’ programme at Gujarat University’s Atal Kalam Hall.
Describing BLOs as the most important members of the Election Commission’s “family”, Kumar said field-level officers are the face of the poll panel for voters. An officer who visits a voter’s home or communicates with them over the phone is effectively the “reflection” of the Election Commission, he said.
Kumar highlighted the role of BLOs in reaching voters across the country, facilitating registration, carrying out corrections in electoral rolls and encouraging participation in elections.
“More than 11 lakh BLOs are working across the country to facilitate an electoral process involving the rights and expectations of around 90 crore voters,” he said, adding that the Election Commission uses training programmes, meetings and digital platforms such as ECI-Net to maintain regular communication with its field personnel.
The CEC stressed that maintaining accurate electoral rolls was essential to the electoral process. Political parties and their Booth Level Agents participate in verification, while BLOs identify cases involving Absent, Shifted, Dead, Duplicate and Foreigner (ASDDF) voters.
He also emphasised that every eligible Indian citizen who has completed 18 years of age should be included in the electoral roll.
Referring to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, Kumar said the Election Commission undertakes periodic revisions to maintain the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls.
“BLOs visit voters’ homes, establish direct contact and verify the required information. Processes including verification of documents, mapping and hearings are used to make the rolls more accurate,” he said.
Kumar urged BLOs to regularly review electoral rolls in their respective areas and ensure that newly eligible voters are enrolled.
“Whenever you get time, check the electoral roll in your area and complete the necessary process to ensure that the names of young people who have completed 18 years of age are added. This is the greatest service to the democracy of the country,” he said.
The CEC also explained safeguards built into the polling and counting processes. He said EVMs and VVPATs are checked through mock polling in the presence of candidates’ polling agents before voting begins.
After polling, EVM-related result procedures are completed in the presence of candidates’ agents, with the required documents signed, he said.
During counting, votes recorded in EVMs are verified against the figures recorded in Form 17C in the presence of candidates’ counting agents.
“Political parties, candidates or their agents have opportunities for verification at every stage of the electoral process, making the process highly transparent,” Kumar said.
He said India’s democracy was unique not only because of its scale but also because of its depth, diversity and vibrancy. Referring to high voter turnout in recent elections, Kumar said voter awareness and the efforts of election personnel had contributed to strengthening democracy.
Gujarat Chief Electoral Officer Sandeep Sagale, while welcoming Kumar, described the CEC’s direct interaction with BLOs as a “golden opportunity”.
Sagale said BLOs serve as an important link between the Election Commission and citizens and act as ambassadors of democratic participation. He added that giving due importance to their field-level experiences, challenges and suggestions, alongside a technology-driven electoral system, could make elections simpler, more transparent and effective.
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