THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ramgarh, April 12: Chief Election Commissioner of India, Gyanesh Kumar, reaffirmed the Election Commission’s steadfast support for voters, stating, “The Commission has always stood with voters, is standing with them, and will continue to do so.”
His remarks came during a media briefing following an interaction with volunteers at the Experience Sharing Programme held at the CCL Guest House auditorium in Ramgarh.
Strength of Democracy in Jharkhand Highlighted
During his visit, Kumar emphasised the strength of democratic values in Jharkhand, noting the enthusiastic participation of local volunteers in the electoral process. “I had the opportunity to meet and interact with volunteers here and it became evident to me that the roots of democracy in Jharkhand run very deep,” he said.
He also encouraged all citizens above 18 years to exercise their right to vote, underlining the importance of voter inclusion in a healthy democracy.
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Efficient Electoral System Lauded
Kumar highlighted the robust mechanisms in place at polling booths, explaining that each station is staffed with a booth-level officer and that all political parties are entitled to appoint their own booth-level agents. He added that the system allows for transparent grievance redressal, with avenues available for escalating appeals from the Electoral Registration Officer to the District and Chief Election Officers.
Importantly, he noted that no appeals are currently pending in Jharkhand—an indicator of high voter satisfaction with the state’s electoral rolls. Kumar commended the entire Jharkhand election team for their commendable work.
Two-Day Visit to Include Challenging Terrains
Kumar is in Jharkhand for a two-day visit, during which he plans to travel to remote and challenging areas to better understand the on-ground realities of election operations in the region.
Appreciation for Volunteer Contributions
Earlier in the day, Kumar addressed the Experience Sharing Programme, where he heard firsthand from volunteers who contributed to previous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. He praised their dedication and contributions to the democratic process.
Voices from the Stage
Chief Electoral Officer of Jharkhand, K. Ravi Kumar, welcomed the Chief Election Commissioner and urged volunteers to freely share their feedback and ask questions. Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Chandan Kumar, SDO Anurag Tiwari, and volunteer master trainer Sanjay Kumar Rai also addressed the gathering, highlighting the collective efforts of the volunteers.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Additional Chief Electoral Officer Neha Arora, and stage proceedings were conducted by Deputy Secretary Dev Das Dutta.
Event Attendees
The event was attended by election officials, including Additional Chief Electoral Officer Neha Arora, SP Ajay Kumar, Joint CEO Subodh Kumar, local administration officials, booth-level officers, and volunteers from across the district.
