Archive · 17 Aug 2026
CEC Gyanesh Kumar calls BLOs bedrock of democracy, announces ELCs
The person in charge of elections in India, called the Chief Election Commissioner, visited the state of Bihar.
His name is Gyanesh Kumar.
He met the people who help voters get their voter ID cards.
These helpers are called booth-level officers, or BLOs.
He said they are like the strong foundation of a building, but for democracy.
He wants all BLOs in the country to be as good as the ones in Nalanda.
He also announced a new plan to start clubs in schools and colleges.
These clubs will teach students about elections and how voting works.
The clubs will start in Bihar first, then spread across the whole country.
He said Bihar gave the country peaceful voting, and now it will give these learning clubs too.
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar described booth-level officers (BLOs) as the 'bedrock of democracy' who ensure eligible electors get voter ID cards.
Kumar said the capabilities of BLOs in Nalanda should be present in all BLOs across the country.
He announced the setting up of Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELC 2.0) across the nation, starting from Bihar.
The conference in Bihar was attended by vice chancellors, principals, and students, who offered suggestions on strengthening the electoral process.
During the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) programme in 2025, BLOs helped make the electoral roll more accurate and error-free.
- Who
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and booth-level officers (BLOs) in Bihar
- What
- CEC praised BLOs as the 'bedrock of democracy' and announced Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELC 2.0) starting from Bihar
- When
- Monday, August 17
- Where
- Patna and Rajgir, Bihar, India
- Why
- To strengthen the electoral process and ensure accurate, error-free electoral rolls
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Gyanesh Kumar
- Key statement
- BLOs are the 'bedrock of democracy'
- Initiative announced
- Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELC 2.0)
- Launch state
- Bihar
- BLO meeting location
- Rajgir
- Conference location
- Patna, Bihar
- Special programme
- Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2025
- Attendees
- Vice chancellors, principals, students