Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar commenced a significant two-day visit to Jharkhand on Sunday, arriving in the holy city of Deoghar. His tour, which holds considerable importance in the state's electoral calendar, began with a spiritual offering at the revered Baba Baidyanath Dham, one of the nation's twelve sacred Jyotirlingas.
A Spiritual Start to an Official Tour
Upon landing at Deoghar Airport, CEC Gyanesh Kumar was formally welcomed with a guard of honour presented by the district police, adhering to official protocol. He was received by officials from the Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer's office and the civil and police administration of the Santhal Pargana division. Accompanied by his family members, Kumar proceeded directly to the Baidyanath Dham temple.
At the temple, priests assisted the Commissioner and his family in performing rituals amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns. The family was escorted into the sanctum sanctorum for darshan and puja. Speaking after the prayers, Kumar expressed that he sought prosperity for the country, the state, and its people, greeting them with the traditional "Johar."
Official Engagements and Temple Visits
Following the temple visit, the CEC's schedule shifted to official duties. He proceeded to AIIMS Deoghar for a meeting with the institution's officials and management. Later in the day, Kumar returned to the Baidyanath Dham complex to attend the evening shringar puja. He also visited the historic Naulakha Temple, completing a day that blended administrative review with spiritual observance.
Focus on Upcoming Electoral Revision
The timing of the CEC's visit is crucial. It comes ahead of the likely launch of the Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in Jharkhand, scheduled for February. This revision process is a foundational exercise to update the voter list, ensuring its accuracy before elections.
According to the itinerary released by Jharkhand's Chief Electoral Officer, K Ravi Kumar, the CEC's second day involves travel to Basukinath Dham in Dumka, another famous Shiva temple, at 8:30 AM on Monday. After darshan there, he will head to the Forest Guest House for a meal around 10 AM.
Returning to Deoghar in the afternoon, Kumar will engage directly with grassroots election machinery. He is slated to interact with Booth Level Officers (BLOs) at Mohananda Plus Two School in Tapovan. This interaction is key, as BLOs are the frontline officials responsible for maintaining the electoral roll at the micro level. The day will conclude with a media address. Furthermore, during his two-day tour, the CEC is set to meet all the Deputy Commissioners of the region.
This comprehensive visit underscores the Election Commission's preparatory focus on Jharkhand, ensuring the electoral apparatus is reviewed and reinforced well in advance of the vital summary revision of voter lists.
