Rajouri : The first day of home voting in Kalakote Sunderbani Assembly Constituency, falling in Jammu Parliamentary Constituency, was marked by an enthusiastic participation from the electorate.
It is for the first time that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has provided the facility of home voting for the elderly and Persons with Disabilities in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The Voters above 85 years of age and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) with 40% benchmark disability can avail the optional home voting facility.
On the first day, as many as 191 people availed the home voting facility and cast their vote from the comfort of their homes.
This home voting is being conducted for two days, providing voters with ample time and opportunity to exercise their right to vote. The local authorities have worked diligently to ensure a smooth and secure electoral process.
LS Elections 2024: Election Observers conduct comprehensive inspection of Polling Stations in Nowshera, Rajouri
Rajouri: General Observer, Sanjeev Kumar Besra and Police Observer, Akhileshwar Singh, on Monday undertook a comprehensive visit to the polling stations of border belt of Nowshera.
The purpose of the visit was to assess and review the status of assured minimum facilities at these polling stations and polling preparedness.
They meticulously inspected polling stations across the border including one located in Khamba-A and Bhawani-A housed in GHS Sair. The scrutiny encompassed a thorough examination of the essential facilities for the smooth conduct of elections.
During the inspection, the Observers engaged with the stakeholders to ensure that all necessary arrangements were in place to facilitate a smooth and efficient voting process. The basic amenities such as electricity, water supply, sanitation facilities, and accessibility for differently-abled voters was assessed at the polling stations.
The Observers asked authorities to ensure provision of prescribed Facilities at all Polling Stations to uphold the integrity and fairness of the electoral process. He reiterated the unwavering commitment of the administration to facilitating free, fair, and transparent elections, wherein every eligible citizen can exercise his democratic right with confidence and ease.
The visit concluded with the instructions to the officers of concerned departments to put in place all efforts for the smooth conduct of Lok Saba Elections in the region.
The DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range, Tejinder Singh; Additional Deputy Commissioner Nowshera, Babu Ram Tandan and other officers also accompanied the Observers during their visit to Nowshera.
Meanwhile, the randomization of polling staff was also done in the office of District Election Officer Rajouri under supervision of the General Observer.
The District Election Officer Rajouri, Om Prakash Bhagat alongwith whole team of Election department remained present at the randomization exercise.
LS Elections 2024: DEO Reasi assesses election related arrangements in Mahore
Reasi : District Election Officer Reasi, Vishesh Mahajan, undertook a comprehensive visit to Mahore to assess the readiness for Lok Sabha Elections 2024.
During the visit, the DEO Reasi reviewed the security scenario and arrangements with the senior officers of Army and Police, inspected the polling stations and transit strong roo The thorough examination affirmed that all polling stations are adequately equipped with essential facilities to seamlessly facilitate the voting process.
The DEO emphasised that all polling stations should be well prepared and sanitized for the elections. He instructed the concerned authorities to promptly address any deficiencies to ensure a hassle-free voting experience for the voters.
He also interacted with college students group, who are first time voters, and motivated them to exercise their voting right on 26th April. He also interacted with Xens PWD, PMGSY, Jal Shakti, GREF and officers of JPDCL instructing them to ensure that the roads, water supply and power situation is monitored regularly and any issue is redressed immediately.
CO 58 RR, ARO- 56 Gulabgarh, SDPO Mahore, Xen PMGSY, Jal Shakti and PWD, Tehsildar Mahore, AEE GREF and other officers were present.
LS Elections 2024: Trekking expedition organised from Chila Danga to Kummi under SVEEP campaign at Samba
Samba: In a collaborative effort, District administration Samba, Directorate of Tourism, Jammu and Central University participants of homestay on Monday came together to organize a Trekking expedition from Chila Danga to Kummi here under the aegis of Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) campaign.
The trek was flagged off by District Election Officer Samba, Abhishek Sharma which traced an ancient route leading to Kummi. Commencing from the Chila Danga—the trek concluded at the GMS Kummi.
More than 200 participants hailing from different parts of the Samba district were enthralled by picturesque vistas and experiencing a mystical aura throughout the trek. They expressed gratitude to the authorities for this endeavour. After the trek, the participants actively participated in the various Sveep related activities like signature campaign and wall paintings.
At Kummi, the participants from different tehsils of Samba and local residents who were mostly first time voters, were sensitized by the DEO and other district officers about the electoral process, the importance of exercising the right to vote, and rights and responsibilities of voters.
Students of Government Middle School Kummi, created placards, which was followed by painting of walls and signature campaign. The DEO himself participated in the wall painting and drew a beautiful logo of ECI on the wall.
The DEO, Samba, said that beyond electoral processes, adventure, and spirituality, the event also underscored cleanliness, environmental consciousness, and the preservation of natural beauty that attracts travelers from far and wide.
He encouraged the locals for maximum electoral participation in this Lok Sabha Elections which shall be held in second phase on 26th of April in District Samba and also encouraged locals to facilitate homestay facility to tourists.
The DEO was accompanied by SSP Samba, Vinay Kumar, Nodal officer Sveep, Mohammad Sayeed, DIO Ashiq Rafiq, SDPO, Bhism Dubey, Tourism Officer Rajesh Raina and other district and Sectoral officers.
LS Elections 2024: Home voting conducted for Senior citizens, PwDs in Samba Distt
Samba : Home voting was on Monday conducted smoothly in Samba district for Senior citizens (AVSC) and PwDs (AVPD) in three Assembly constituencies of 69-Ramgarh, 70-Samba and 71-Ramgarh to ensure an inclusive and participative election.
District Election Officer Samba, Abhishek Sharma constituted 49 teams to facilitate home voting of 514 voters under AVSC and AVPD categories.
Out of 49 teams constituted for home voting, 18 teams were deputed for Vijaypur constituency, 15 for Ramgarh constituency and 16 teams for Samba constituency.
Of 514 electors, including persons above 85 year and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in the district, 498 voters (96.88%) exercised their franchise by availing the optional home voting facility on 1st day of the home voting.
This initiative of home voting marked a significant stride towards ensuring inclusivity and accessibility of the electoral process and in bolstering democratic participation.
The DEO emphasized that despite many challenges, a polling team travelled 25 KM by bus and 7 KM on foot to reach village Padal in district Samba to facilitate Home Voting facility to a elderly voter, Puran Singh.
Similarly the polling teams also visited border villages located adjacent to the international border.
The Voters, who availed the home voting facility in district Samba expressed gratitude and hailed the ECI initiative. Voting from home took place with involvement of a full contingent of polling staff and security personnel with secrecy of voting diligently maintained.
DEO said that home voting has removed barriers, thus allowing every citizen, regardless of their circumstances, to exercise their democratic right. It fosters a more inclusive and representative democracy by ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard and accounted for in the electoral process.
LS Elections 2024: Postal ballot voting for ‘Absentee voters on Essential Services’ category held in Samba Distt
Samba : To ensure the democratic participation of all eligible voters, Postal ballot voting at Postal Voting Centres (PVCs), under Absentee voters on Essential Services (AVES) category was successfully conducted in District Samba for three assembly constituencies of Ramgarh, Vijaypur and Samba.
Of 136 employees from different departments, who opted for the postal ballot voting, 78 employees availed the facility voting on 20th and 21st April. The postal ballot option emerged as a beacon of accessibility, allowing employees to fulfill their civic duty without the constraints of physical presence at polling stations.
Meanwhile, District Election Officer Abhishek Sharma along with other officers reviewed the preparedness for the upcoming elections in the Samba district, including home voting. He also assessed security measures and logistical arrangements and directed all concerned stakeholders to ensure a smooth and transparent process for the electoral process.
