District Election Officer (DEO) Poonch, Vikas Kundal on Monday conducted an extensive tour of the Polling Stations located near the Line of Control as part of the preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections 2024. Accompanied by senior officials from the district administration and education department, the DEO inspected several schools where polling stations have been set up for the upcoming assembly elections.
The team visited Government High School Mangnar, Government Middle School Jhullas, GHSS Jhullas and Government Middle School Salotri. The DEO assessed the infrastructure and facilities available at polling stations. He examined the accessibility for differently-abled voters, availability of basic amenities such as electricity, water supply, and provision of sanitation.
Special attention was given to ensuring proper seating arrangements and separate queues for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The DEO interacted with school staff to get feedback on any specific requirements or concerns related to the polling process in these border areas.
He emphasized the importance of creating a conducive environment for voters to exercise their democratic right freely and fairly. The DEO also reviewed the security arrangements at these locations and the condition of bunkers, where alternative arrangements for the polling has been done in case of any urgency or cross border firing.
He discussed contingency plans with security officials to ensure the safety of voters and polling staff. Expressing satisfaction with the overall preparedness, the DEO directed the officials to address any remaining issues promptly.