Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Jammu and Kashmir, P K Pole, on Friday conducted a comprehensive review of preparations being put in place by the district administration for the Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The CEO was accompanied by Police Observer, Baramulla Lok Sabha constituency, Ravi Shankar and other concerned officers.
The CEO chaired a meeting of Nodal Officers and AROs, wherein District Election Officer (DEO), Ayushi Sudan, presented the detailed plan of major components of election preparedness through a PowerPoint Presentation. She informed that all arrangements for ensuring free and fair general elections in the district have been made.
Ayushi Sudan said that a contingency and emergency evacuation and communication plan has been prepared for the 75 polling stations of the district which are located at high altitude areas close to LoC. The CEO had a detailed constituency wise review of critical components of the ongoing election process including AMF’s at Polling stations, plantation, dispatch and reception centers, Transport plan, training and arrangements for polling staff, material management, manpower, SVEEP, MCC, material management, Special Polling Stations and media monitoring.
Highlighting the significance of Adequate Minimum Facilities (AMF) at polling stations, the CEO emphasized the need for creating a conducive environment for voters to exercise their democratic rights freely and fairly. He asked for massive plantation drives at polling stations and open spaces by roping in the Forest department and social forestry.
He also emphasized to provide requisite basic facilities in all polling stations on the poll day. The CEO, while reviewing the status of activities being conducted under SVEEP, directed the concerned Nodal Officer to conduct robust voter awareness campaigns across the district so as to ensure high voter turnout in the district.
Interacting with the nodal officers, the CEO reiterated the importance of strict adherence to ECI guidelines and robust media monitoring to uphold the sanctity of the electoral process. He directed the officers to exhibit exemplary commitment and sincerity while discharging their election duties, recognizing their pivotal role in facilitating free, fair and peaceful elections.
He directed to earmark a Sector Officer for polling stations located at remote areas where travel time is more. The CEO visited election control room and Media Certification, Monitoring Committee (MCMC) and enquired about their functioning and activities as well. Later, the CEO visited the Strong Room and undertook inspection of the arrangements being put in place for safety, surveillance and security of EVMs.
Earlier, the CEO accompanied by DEO Kupwara, Ayshi Sudan, inaugurated a mega live Art Exhibition held under SVEEP at TRC Kupwara. He inspected the live painting, calligraphy, Mehandi, embroidery and sculpture making stalls in an effort to promote awareness and education among the voters for their active participation in Lok Sabha elections.
The CEO also interacted with the young voters and urged upon them to motivate their relatives and friends to participate in these elections to elect representative of their choice. Among others the meeting was attended by SSPs Kupwara and Handwara, ADDC Kupwara, ADC Handwara, AROs, Election Nodal Officers and other concerned officers.