The Election Commission of India has allowed the serving army personnels at peach stations to get them registered as voters at the place of their posting since 1st January, 2014.Disclosing this here today, Mr. V.K. Singh, Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab said that as per the directions of ECI every such inpidual would have to submit his form duly recommended by the Controlling Officer to register as voter. He said that now with just 5 days remaining for the last date of submitting forms, the media should also play a proactive role in disseminating this information. He said that keeping in view the urgency and short duration of time for putting arrangements for smooth agricultural operations; the ECI has exempted it from Model Code of Conduct so that there shouldn’t be any delay.
The CEO informed that a meeting with recognized National and State Political parties was being held on March, 31 at 3:30 PM at CEO Office (SCO.29-30, Sector-17/E, Chandigarh) regarding allotment of Broadcast/Telecast time on Doordarshan and All India Radio, Jalandhar.He said that as per the directions of ECI, the Punjab government has been asked to issue necessary directions for shutting down excise shops in the radius of 3 kms from the Haryana and U.T. Chandigarh borders from April 8 at 6:00 PM till the polling time i.e. 6:00 PM on April, 10.Replying a query, the CEO informed that issue of auction of Panchayati Land in the State has been referred to ECI.
On this occasion Mr. B. Purushartha, Additional CEO (SVEEP) said that throughout the state a massive campaign for enrolling maximum voters in the form of advertisement in print media, SMSs and other modes of publicity has been launched. He said that most of the telecom companies have come forward to make their significant contribution in creating awareness in masses for getting registered as voters. He said that everybody having electoral photo identity card (epic) should confirm his/her name in voter list. He said that one can check his name by sending an SMSPJBIDCARDNO at +91 9211728082. Besides this it could be checked from the lists available with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), DEO/ERO/Suwidha Centres. He informed that the Deputy Commissioners have innovated unique ideas to promote the cause of maximum enrollment as voters besides motivating them for ethical voting to strengthen the institution of democracy in the country. He said that besides plying democracy buses/vans, holding exhibitions, organizing special walks or runs, seminars, finding local icons. He said that the Bathinda has developed a android application ivote which was appreciated by the ECI and may be replicated throughout the country. He said that after the imposition of MCC, 3 tonnes of poppy husk, 21 kgs opium, 43 kgs heroine, 500 gm smack, 1.30 lac capsules besides 11555 boxes having approximately 1.25 lakh bottles of country made liquor have been recovered.