Kashmir Impulse Desk

Ganderbal, June 29

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Monday visited the revered Mata Kheer Bhawani temple at Tulmulla in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, where he offered prayers and sought blessings for strengthening India’s democratic institutions.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Kumar said visiting the shrine had been a long-cherished wish for him and his family.

“The desire to have darshan and seek the blessings of Mata Kheer Bhawani had been in our hearts for many years. Today, by God’s grace, we were able to visit the shrine,” he said.

The Chief Election Commissioner said he prayed for the continued strengthening of India’s democratic system through the participation of voters across the country, including those in Jammu and Kashmir.

“We pray to Mata Kheer Bhawani that through all the voters of J&K and India, our democracy becomes the strongest, most transparent and most participative in the world,” Kumar said.

The visit came during his three-day tour of Jammu and Kashmir, during which he is reviewing electoral preparedness and interacting with election officials and stakeholders across J&K.