LUCKNOW: Nearly 1.80 crore personnel were deployed on deputation during the Lok Sabha elections, making India’s poll process one of the largest organisational exercises in the world, chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said on Tuesday.Kumar also described booth level officers (BLOs) as the “foundation of Indian democracy” and urged them to work with transparency, dedication and responsibility.“BLOs are the foundation of Indian democracy,” Kumar said while addressing BLOs in Lucknow. He said the officers were recognised by voters for their transparent and committed work and played a crucial role in strengthening the electoral process.Kumar said the commission had interacted with BLOs in Uttar Pradesh to understand their experiences and seek their suggestions. He said direct communication with grassroots election officials was important because of the responsibilities they handled.India has around 12 lakh BLOs, according to the Election Commission. Their duties include identifying and removing names of absent, shifted, dead, duplicate and foreign voters from electoral rolls.They also ensure that every eligible citizen above the age of 18 is included in the voters’ list.Kumar said India has around 97 crore registered voters, a number greater than the combined electorate of several countries. He said the scale of Indian elections required the coordinated participation of a massive workforce.The CEC also referred to his interaction with principals, teachers and students at an Electoral Literacy Club programme in Lucknow. He said elections in India were conducted transparently under the Constitution, laws and instructions issued by the Election Commission.However, Kumar said it was equally important for students, who represent the future of the country, to understand the electoral process and develop faith in democracy.He explained the three-tier system used to maintain transparency during elections. At the first stage, electoral rolls prepared by BLOs are audited by Booth Level Agents of recognised political parties.At polling stations, the mock poll, filling of Part 1 of Form 17C and sealing of electronic voting machines take place in the presence of candidates’ polling agents. During counting, candidates’ counting agents remain present to observe the process.“These checks ensure transparency at every stage of the electoral process,” Kumar said.He also called for efforts to increase voter turnout in Uttar Pradesh during the upcoming elections. Kumar stressed the need to reach every eligible voter, particularly young people and married women, and encourage them to participate in the democratic process.
