BLOs are the first interface between Election Commission and citizens: CEC Gyanesh Kumar

Election Commission BLOs are the first interface between Election

Commission and citizens: CEC Gyanesh Kumar Two-day conference on Electoral Literacy Club & ECINET begins in Margao

Posted On: 02 SEP 2026 8:02PM by PIB Mumbai Goa, 2 September 2026 Booth Level Officers (BLOs) are the first interface between the Election Commission of India

(ECI) and citizens and they play a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of electoral rolls, said Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Gyanesh Kumar during an interaction with BLOs at Ravindra Bhavan, Madgaon, South Goa, on Wednesday.

More than 1,000 BLOs from across Goa participated in the interaction with the Chief Election Commissioner. The interaction was held as part of a two-day conference on Electoral Literacy Club & ECINET at Madgaon.

Describing BLOs as the “foundational pillar of the world’s largest democracy”, Shri Gyanesh Kumar said the preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of elections in the country are carried out strictly in accordance with the Constitution, the law and instructions issued by the ECI.

Highlighting the importance of their role at the grassroots level, he said the BLOs serve as the first point of contact between the Election Commission and citizens. He also acknowledged the instrumental role played by Goa’s BLOs in the preparation of electoral rolls.While commending the officers for their role in maintaining the integrity of the electoral roll, the CEC pointed out that the electoral rolls and the entire election process are concurrently audited by Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by recognised political parties, as well as by the polling and counting agents of candidates.

The interaction also saw the release of short videos explaining the roles of BLOs in Konkani and BLAs in English. The programme included a cultural presentation celebrating Goa’s rich traditions and heritage.

The BLOs also participated in a question-and-answer session with the Chief Election Commissioner, providing them an opportunity to raise their concerns and clarify their doubts directly with him.

Shri Sanjay Goel, Chief Electoral Officer, Goa; Shri Ashish Goyal, Director General (Media), ECI;

Smt. Seema Khanna, Director General (IT), ECI; Shri Ankit Yadav, District Election Officer

(DEO), North Goa; Ms. Egna Cleetus, DEO, South Goa; and Shri Gurudas Desai, DEO, Kushawati District; were present the event along with other senior officials from the state.

The interaction was aimed at strengthening engagement between the Election Commission and its grassroots-level election machinery while recognising the critical role played by BLOs in ensuring an effective and robust electoral process.

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Read this release in: Marathi