Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar Begins Three-Day Odisha Visit
CEC combines administrative engagement with visits to major cultural and heritage sites
Bhubaneswar: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India, Gyanesh Kumar, arrived in Bhubaneswar on Saturday for a three-day official visit to Odisha. The visit includes key administrative engagements related to the electoral process along with visits to some of the state’s most important religious, cultural, and heritage landmarks.
According to official sources, the CEC landed at Biju Patnaik International Airport earlier in the day and proceeded directly to Puri as part of his planned itinerary.
Visit to Jagannath Temple and Konark Sun Temple
On the first day of his visit, Gyanesh Kumar is scheduled to offer prayers at the Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, one of the most revered pilgrimage sites in India. Later in the day, he will visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Konark Sun Temple.
Officials said these visits are part of a pre-planned schedule and mark the conclusion of the Chief Election Commissioner’s engagements for Day One.
Cultural and Heritage Tour Across Odisha
The Odisha visit will continue on December 28 with a series of cultural and heritage site visits across Puri and Bhubaneswar.
As per official information, the CEC will visit:
- Raghurajpur Heritage Village, known for traditional Pattachitra paintings
- Dhauli Shanti Stupa, a symbol of peace and Buddhism
- Khandagiri and Udayagiri hill caves, important archaeological sites
- Mukteswar Temple, an architectural landmark in Bhubaneswar
These visits highlight Odisha’s rich cultural history and architectural heritage and are part of the Chief Election Commissioner’s broader itinerary during his stay in the state.
Key Administrative Engagement with Booth-Level Officers
The main official engagement of the visit is scheduled for December 29. On this day, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will address booth-level officers (BLOs) at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) auditorium in Bhubaneswar.
The interaction will begin at 3:00 pm and is expected to focus on the roles and responsibilities of BLOs, who form the backbone of India’s electoral machinery at the grassroots level.
Officials said the discussion will cover election preparedness, voter list management, and measures to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. The session is aimed at strengthening coordination and clarity among field-level election officials.
Importance of BLO Interaction for Electoral Process
Booth-level officers play a crucial role in voter registration, verification of electoral rolls, and facilitating smooth conduct of elections. Interactions with senior Election Commission officials are routinely held to reinforce best practices and address challenges faced during election-related duties.
Officials noted that such engagements help improve operational readiness and strengthen trust in the democratic process, especially at the grassroots level.
While the visit holds administrative significance, officials clarified that no major election-related announcements or policy decisions are expected during the Chief Election Commissioner’s stay in Odisha.
No separate review meetings with the state election machinery have been officially scheduled beyond the interaction with BLOs.
Following the interaction at OUAT on December 29, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar is scheduled to depart from Bhubaneswar later the same night, concluding his three-day official visit to Odisha.
Officials described the visit as a routine but important engagement combining administrative outreach with cultural exposure, aimed at reinforcing the Election Commission’s commitment to strengthening democratic processes across the country.
