CEC Gyanesh Kumar visits Khajjiar polling station, meets young voters in Chamba
Synopsis
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's ground-level visit to Khajjiar and Dharamshala — months before Himachal Pradesh's 2027 Assembly polls — signals the ECI is moving into early-preparation mode for all 68 seats. Simultaneously, the SIR Phase III enumeration drive in four states sets a 28 June deadline that will shape who gets to vote next.
Key Takeaways
CEC Gyanesh Kumar visited a polling station at Khajjiar, Chamba on 7 June 2026 , interacting with young voters and field election officials.
He also met Booth Level Officers (BLOs) in Dharamshala and praised their work on electoral roll accuracy.
Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections for all 68 seats are expected in November 2027 ; state officials have begun preparations.
The ECI's Special Intensive Revision Phase III enumeration is under way in Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Manipur since 3 May 2026 .
Electors must submit Enumeration Forms to the ERO by 28 June 2026 to be included in Draft Electoral Rolls; late applicants can use Form-6 .
Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Sunday, 7 June 2026 visited a polling station at Khajjiar in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, interacting with field-level election officials and young electors as part of an ongoing state visit. The CEC urged first-time and young voters to participate actively in the democratic process, according to an official statement.
Key Interactions at Chamba and Dharamshala
Earlier during the same visit, Gyanesh Kumar travelled to Dharamshala, where he met election officials and Booth Level Officers (BLOs). He commended BLOs for their work in updating electoral rolls and maintaining the accuracy of voters' lists — a task that forms the backbone of credible elections. This is part of a broader pattern of the Election Commission of India (ECI) conducting ground-level outreach ahead of scheduled state polls.
Assembly Election Preparations for 2027
The CEC's visit coincides with early groundwork for Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections expected in November 2027, when all 68 Assembly seats will be up for election. State election officials have already begun logistical and administrative preparations. The visit signals that the Election Commission of India (ECI) intends to maintain close oversight of readiness at the booth level well in advance.
Spiritual Stops in Kangra Valley
On Saturday, accompanied by family members, Gyanesh Kumar visited the Kangra Fort and Bajreshwari Devi Temple in Kangra. He also offered prayers at the Chamunda Devi Temple in Dharamshala, according to an official statement.
Special Intensive Revision Phase III: Four States in Focus
Separately, the ECI has confirmed that the enumeration phase of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) — Phase III is now under way in Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Manipur, having begun on 3 May 2026. All eligible electors whose Enumeration Forms are received by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) on or before 28 June 2026 will be included in the Draft Electoral Rolls.
Electors unable to submit forms by the deadline may apply through Form-6 along with the prescribed Declaration Form during the claims and objections period. BLOs are conducting house-to-house visits, carrying at least 30 blank Form-6s per visit to enrol new electors on the spot. Forms may be submitted either through the BLO or online.
With the SIR Phase III deadline approaching and Himachal Pradesh elections on the horizon, the ECI's field-level engagement underscores a push to maximise electoral roll accuracy before the next major poll cycle.
Point of View
Yet the ECI is already on the ground, which suggests institutional anxiety about readiness at the last mile. The SIR Phase III drive running concurrently in four northeastern and eastern states adds to the picture: the Commission is compressing its preparation timelines, possibly in anticipation of an accelerated election schedule. Whether BLO outreach translates into meaningfully cleaner rolls — or merely higher form-submission numbers — is the accountability question that will matter when results are eventually contested.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did CEC Gyanesh Kumar visit Himachal Pradesh?
CEC Gyanesh Kumar visited Himachal Pradesh to interact with field-level election officials, Booth Level Officers, and young voters as part of preparations for the state's Assembly elections expected in November 2027. He visited Khajjiar in Chamba and also met officials in Dharamshala.
When are the next Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections?
Himachal Pradesh Assembly elections are expected to be held in November 2027, covering all 68 Assembly seats. State election officials have already begun administrative preparations.
What is the ECI's Special Intensive Revision Phase III?
It is a voter-roll update exercise in which Booth Level Officers conduct house-to-house visits in select states to distribute and collect Enumeration Forms from existing and new electors. Phase III is currently under way in Odisha, Mizoram, Sikkim, and Manipur.
What is the deadline for the SIR Phase III enumeration?
Electors in the four states covered must submit their Enumeration Forms to the Electoral Registration Officer on or before 28 June 2026 to be included in the Draft Electoral Rolls. Those who miss the deadline can apply via Form-6 during the claims and objections period.
What role do Booth Level Officers play in the enumeration drive?
BLOs conduct door-to-door visits, distributing and collecting Enumeration Forms and verifying details. They carry at least 30 blank Form-6s per visit to register new electors on the spot, and forms can also be submitted online.
