India's Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar begins three‑day review of election process in Jammu & Kashmir

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar arrived in Srinagar on June 28, 2026, landing at Sheikh‑ul‑Alam International Airport where he was welcomed by senior officials including Chief Electoral Officer Sanjeev Verma and Deputy Commissioner Athar Aamir Khan. Over the next three days the CEC will travel across the Kashmir Valley, focusing on Budgam district to meet Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and other electoral stakeholders.

During a press interaction, Kumar said he would engage voters and “strengthen the connect with the grassroots‑level functionaries,” calling BLOs “the pillars of our democracy.” The visit is part of the Election Commission of India's ongoing effort to improve field‑level preparedness, promote democratic participation and ensure transparency in electoral management. Kumar, the 26th Chief Election Commissioner who took office on 19 February 2025, also highlighted India’s reputation for transparent elections and its leadership role in international democratic forums.

The programme includes discussions on voter awareness, verification of electoral rolls, and auditing of voting and counting processes, with the aim of gathering on‑ground feedback to reinforce the integrity of future elections in the union territory.