Telangana poised to set a benchmark in voter list cleanup: Chief Election Commissioner

India’s Chief Election Commissioner, G. K. Janardhana Kumar, expressed confidence that Telangana will soon set new national standards in cleaning up electoral rolls by removing irregularities and creating a transparent voter list. Speaking at a meeting of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Hyderabad on Sunday, he cited the recently successful voter verification exercise in Bihar as a benchmark.

Janardhana Kumar emphasized the pivotal role of BLOs, describing them as the backbone of India’s electoral system. He said the integrity, dedication, and commitment of these officers are key to the successful maintenance of voter lists. “Countries around the world observe Indian elections closely to understand how the largest democracy functions,” he added.

Referring to Bihar, he noted that the state conducted its voter verification process smoothly, enabling around 75 million voters to participate in legislative assembly elections without any complaints, re-polling, or recounts. He specifically praised Bihar’s BLOs for setting high standards nationwide. Regarding Telangana, he said the state is geographically larger than Canada and, once voter list cleanup is completed, will usher in a new era of efficient election management.

The CEC also highlighted voter behavior differences, pointing out that low participation in urban areas is a major reason for lower turnout, while rural voters consistently exercise their franchise, often standing in long queues. He stressed that elections in India are conducted strictly according to the Constitution and laws, and everyone involved in the process must comply with legal requirements.

Janardhana Kumar also mentioned India’s recent leadership role in the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) organization. After nearly three decades as a member since 1995, India now holds the chairmanship, reflecting global recognition of the Election Commission as one of the most reliable and modern electoral bodies in the world.

He noted that India has over 900 million voters across 28 states and eight union territories. Earlier in the program, Telangana’s Chief Electoral Officer, C. Sudarshan Reddy, shared state-specific voter statistics, including numbers by district and assembly constituency maps. The meeting was attended by Additional CEO V. Venkateswara Reddy, GHMC Commissioner R.V. Karnan, and Rangareddy Collector Narayana Reddy, among other senior officials.