District Election Officer (DEO), Kishtwar, Rajesh Kumar Shavan visited the remote areas of Sub Division Marwah today to assess the logistics and security arrangements for the smooth, free, and transparent conduct of the upcoming Assembly Election. The tour of DEO was aimed to oversee all the election related arrangements made so far by field agencies.
The officer reviewed lodging and boarding arrangements for polling staff in the sub-division. He also evaluated the welfare logistics for advance polling parties, including polling personnel, Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), who will remain in the area for over a week due to the remote location and logistical challenges. In terms of security and logistics, he directed the officers to address any gaps well in advance, emphasizing the need for flawless execution to ensure a free and fair election process.
Accompanied by SSP Kishtwar Abdul Qayoom, ACD Kishtwar/Nodal Officer Logistics, the DEO inspected intermediate strong rooms and some polling stations in Marwah and Warwan. They reviewed the security measures and assessed AMFs such as water, power, sanitation, and facilities for Persons with Disabilities (PwD), women, and elderly voters at these stations.
In his address to the officers associated with the conduct of elections, the DEO said that emphasis needs to be put on SVEEP to enhance the polling percentage and make people aware about their rights of vote. He appealed to the voters to achieve 100 percent polling target at each polling station by ensuring that the voters are facilitated by the election duty staff to cast hassle free votes.
Taking a serious note of the fake news on whatsApp, he directed the SDM to take stringent action and strictly enforce the MCC. Later, the visiting officers attended the SVEEP Programme held at High Schools in Chanjer (Marwah) and Afti (Warwan). A SVEEP rally was also flagged off by DEO in presence of SSP at Afti.
The DEO appealed to the voters to participate actively in the upcoming Assembly Election, emphasizing the importance of their involvement in the democratic process. He further said that a friendly environment as festivity should prevail in the areas and everyone should feel pride in the electoral participation.