The Deputy Commisioner-cum-District Election Officer Himanshu Jain and Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma on Friday visited the proposed strong room and counting centre for electronic voting machines (EVMs) at Khalsa College For Women, Ghumar Mandi ahead of the upcoming Ludhiana West by-poll to review the arrangements.
They were accompanied by additional deputy commissioner (UD) RP Singh, who is also RO for the by-poll and others. Both Jain and Sharma reiterated the district administration’s unwavering commitment to conducting free and fair elections while issuing directions to the officers.
They said fool-proof security arrangements would be made by the district administration at the venues during the polling and counting processes. “The guidelines of ECI will be followed in letter and spirit for the strong rooms and counting centres,” they said.
Both the officers also emphasised that the district administration would put in place an elaborate system of security measures and procedural checks aimed at ensuring fool-proof security of the strong rooms/counting centres. The safeguards will be implemented with the active involvement of political parties, candidates and their representatives at every stage to build their confidence in the efficacy and reliability of the electoral process.