With the Assembly Elections approaching, District Election Officer (DEO) Poonch, Vikas Kundal, visited Surankote and Mendhar to oversee the preparations for the upcoming Assembly polls. The DEO reviewed arrangements related to the election and enforcement of MCC. Chairing meetings in Mendhar and Surankote, the DEO took stock of key aspects of the election preparations.
He also conducted a series of surprise inspections across the Poonch district to ensure electoral integrity, focusing on the effectiveness of Static Surveillance Teams at key Check Posts and Nakas, which are essential for enforcing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and preventing illegal activities that could influence voters.
Additionally, DEO Kundal met with the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) teams, urging them to expedite their awareness campaigns across the district. The initiative is crucial for maximizing voter participation ahead of the Assembly elections, scheduled on September 25.
The DEO also engaged with the Returning Officers (ROs) of Surankote and Mendhar, who updated him on their preparations, ensuring that all necessary arrangements are in place for a smooth electoral process. Furthermore, he instructed the ROs to finalize all preparations and reviewed the ongoing home voting status.
Emphasizing inclusivity, he stressed the need to achieve 100 percent polling for voters aged 85 and above, as well as for persons with disabilities, within the stipulated time frame. During these visits, DEO Kundal assessed the readiness of the surveillance teams and emphasized the need for stringent security measures while minimizing inconvenience to commuters.
In collaboration with the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Poonch, he highlighted the importance of protecting voter rights and maintaining a transparent electoral environment.