CEC Gyanesh Kumar visited Puri and Konark on December 26 to review election preparedness, security arrangements, and voter facilitation in Odisha.
Puri, Odisha | December 26, 2025:
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar visited Puri and Konark on Friday, December 26, 2025, as part of an official tour to review electoral preparedness and strengthen democratic processes in Odisha. The visit is aligned with the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) ongoing efforts to ensure free, fair, transparent, and inclusive elections across the country.
During his visit to Puri, the CEC held detailed review meetings with senior district election officials, representatives of the district administration, and law enforcement agencies. The discussions focused on election readiness, voter facilitation, security arrangements, and coordination among various departments involved in the election process.
Review of Poll Preparedness in Puri
At Puri, Gyanesh Kumar reviewed the preparedness of the district election machinery, including polling station infrastructure, availability of trained manpower, and logistical arrangements. Officials briefed him on measures taken for the revision of electoral rolls, deployment of polling personnel, and steps to ensure smooth voter movement on polling day.
Special emphasis was placed on making polling stations accessible and voter-friendly, particularly for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and first-time voters. The CEC reiterated that inclusivity remains a core principle of the Election Commission and directed officials to ensure that no eligible voter is left out.
Law and Order and Security Measures
Considering Puri’s importance as a major pilgrimage and tourist destination, the CEC reviewed law and order preparedness in detail. Police officials presented security plans for sensitive and critical polling stations, including deployment of forces, route management, and crowd control measures.
The CEC stressed the importance of close coordination between election authorities and security agencies to prevent any untoward incidents. Measures to curb electoral malpractices such as inducement of voters, misuse of money power, and intimidation were also discussed.
Visit to Konark
Later in the day, Gyanesh Kumar visited Konark, where he reviewed election arrangements in the heritage region. Officials briefed him on booth-level preparedness, availability of basic facilities such as drinking water, lighting, and ramps at polling stations, and voter awareness initiatives in rural and semi-urban areas.
The CEC emphasized the need to strengthen voter education programs to encourage higher participation. He instructed officials to intensify outreach activities under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme, with a focus on young voters and marginalized communities.
Technology and Transparency
During the review, the CEC also assessed the readiness related to Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs). Officials outlined security protocols, storage arrangements, and randomization processes designed to maintain the integrity of the voting system.
Gyanesh Kumar reaffirmed the Election Commission’s commitment to transparency and technological reliability, stating that public confidence in the electoral process is paramount.
Interaction with Election Officials
Interacting with election officials in both Puri and Konark, the CEC encouraged them to uphold neutrality, professionalism, and integrity. He underlined the importance of timely grievance redressal and directed officials to respond swiftly to complaints received from political parties and citizens.
The visit by the Chief Election Commissioner on December 26 is being seen as a significant step toward reinforcing public trust in the electoral system in Odisha. Officials noted that such field-level reviews help identify gaps and improve preparedness well ahead of elections.
The Election Commission of India has reiterated that conducting elections in a free, fair, and peaceful manner remains its top priority. CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s visit to Puri and Konark underscores the Commission’s proactive approach to strengthening democratic values and ensuring that every eligible voter can exercise their democratic right without fear or influence.
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