THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, April 13: In a significant recognition of grassroots efforts, a BLO (booth level officer) Didi from the remote region near Dasham Waterfall will serve as a trainer in an upcoming national-level BLO training programme in Delhi. This move is part of a new initiative by the Election Commission of India aimed at sharing successful strategies from the field with booth-level officers across the country.
The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, who visited the Dasham Waterfall area on Sunday, praised the dedication of BLOs working in such challenging terrain.
Speaking at a dialogue session with BLOs, he said, “BLO Didis from remote areas like Dasham Waterfall are truly inspirational. They reach every household—often where even sunlight struggles to reach—and have significantly boosted voter turnout in their areas.”
Highlighting the importance of these officers in strengthening the democratic process, the CEC noted that selected BLOs from across India are being invited to Delhi for advanced training. The BLO Didi from Dasham Waterfall will be among those leading the sessions, showcasing her methods and inspiring others.
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Addressing the media, Kumar shared insights into the robust electoral machinery of Jharkhand, where over one lakh election personnel are involved. “There are three pillars to any election—the Election Commission’s institutional structure, the voter list, and the voting process. During elections, a team of just 500 core staff expands into the world’s largest organisation, conducting polls at 10.5 lakh booths,” he said.
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He also reminded citizens of their vital role in democracy. “Voting is the first step in national service. To vote, you must first become a voter. Every citizen over 18 should ensure their name is on the voter list and turn up on voting day.”
Earlier, Chief Electoral Officer K. Ravi Kumar lauded the hard work of BLOs in remote areas, especially in voter list preparation and queue management, which improved voting efficiency. The event concluded with remarks from Ranchi’s Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Manjunath Bhajantri, who expressed gratitude to the CEC and appreciation for the BLOs’ efforts.
The event saw participation from officials including Additional Chief Electoral Officer Neha Arora, Ranchi Rural SP Sumit Kumar Agarwal, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Subodh Kumar, and numerous BLOs and district administration members.
