Bhopal, July 3 (IANS) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar will begin his first official visit to Madhya Pradesh on Friday, with a key interaction with more than 1,500 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Indore, underscoring the Election Commission’s emphasis on strengthening the electoral process through direct engagement with grassroots functionaries.

According to a statement issued by the Madhya Pradesh government, Gyanesh Kumar will attend a Booth Level Officers’ conference at the Lata Mangeshkar Auditorium in Indore, where BLOs from Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, Dhar and Khandwa districts will participate.

“The interaction is aimed at strengthening the electoral process by directly engaging with Booth Level Officers and understanding their experiences, challenges and suggestions,” the state government said in a statement on Friday.

The government added that the initiative reflects the Election Commission’s commitment to improving the efficiency, transparency and credibility of the electoral system by maintaining close coordination with officials working at the booth level.

The visit assumes significance as Gyanesh Kumar is the first Chief Election Commissioner to institutionalise direct interactions with Booth Level Officers and election personnel after taking charge.

The Election Commission had earlier organised a similar programme in Delhi as part of its outreach to officials responsible for conducting elections at the grassroots level.

Following the conference, the Chief Election Commissioner will proceed to Omkareshwar Temple, where he is scheduled to offer prayers and perform rituals on the banks of the Narmada River.

He will later visit the historic Maheshwar Fort before returning to Indore. According to the state government, he will leave for Delhi on Saturday evening after concluding his two-day visit.

The visit is expected to reinforce the Election Commission’s efforts to enhance coordination with field-level election officials, with Booth Level Officers continuing to play a pivotal role in maintaining electoral rolls and ensuring the smooth conduct of free and fair elections across the country.

–IANS

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