Jammu: With all arrangements in place, the polling for second phase of ongoingLokSabha elections is all set to commence on April 26 in the 5 Jammu Parliamentary Constituency.
“A total of 17,80,835 lakh voters have been enrolled in phase II, including 9,21,095 male and 8,59,712 female voters besides 28 third gender electorates. There are around 10498 Persons with Disability and 666 persons above the age of 100 years who will also be exercising their franchise”, read a communique received here on Wednesday by the office of Chief Election Officer, J&K.
Around 2,416 polling stations are set to go to polls in the second phase across 4 districts of Jammu, Samba, Reasi and Rajouri (83- Kalakote-Sunderbani), out of these 36 polling stations are P-2. The election staff including Presiding Officers will be stationed in every polling station. In total, more than 15,000 polling staff, including reserve will be deployed on duty on the polling day. Among the districts, Jammu has 50 while Samba has around 12 border polling stations.
The communication added that the voting will take place from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm and before that there will be mock poll in the polling stations in presence of the polling agents. Also, the voting will continue even after 6.00 pm, if voter’s queue is still there in the Poling Station premises to utilize their right to vote.
Every polling station will be provided with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) like drinking water, electricity, toilet, ramp, furniture, verandah / shed besides wheel chairs will also be provided to the needy. The ballot unit will also have a list of contesting candidates in brail script. Where ever required, there will be separate ques for senior citizens and specially abled persons facilitating them with early polling. Additionally, there will be a voter help desk, manned by the concerned Booth Level Officer (BLO).
There will be 10 polling booths managed by women (also called as pink polling stations), 10 polling booths manned by specially abled persons and 9 by youths. Also, there will be 12 green polling stations in order to spread message about environmental concern. The purpose behind these special polling station is to spread awareness among sections of society like women, specially abled, first time young voters to come forward and exercise their right to vote.
Aimed at to facilitate the voters in identification and increase voter turnout ratio, all voters have been provided with voter information slip with all requisite information like Polling Station name, date and time of poll, serial number of voter in the list, his full name, QR code but not the photograph of the voter. Hence, the voter Information Slips will not be allowed as proof of the identity of voters. Also, the citizens can view details of the Polling Station, Parliamentary Constituency and get the contact details of the Booth Level Officer, Electoral Registration Officer among other services, through Voter Helpline App (VHA). This mobile app is available on the Google Play store and Apple App Store.
In addition to Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), 12 types of documents will also be allowed to verify a voter and allow him for voting. EPIC card is not mandatory for voting. The requisite documents included AadhaarCard, MGNREGA Job Card, Pass books with photograph, Health Insurance Smart Card issuedunder the scheme of the Ministry of Labour, Driving License, PANCard, Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, Indian Passport, Pension document with photograph, Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/StateGovt./PSUs/Public Limited Companies, Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs and Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, issued by Union Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry.
The document further read that more than 600 journalists and cameramen of print, electronic and social media platforms have been provided with pass to cover the polling process without compromising secrecy of vote and causing any inconvenience to the democratic exercise.
Besides, the Voter Turnout App will be used to display estimated provisional voter turnout details of each Parliamentary Constituency entered by the RO. The media can also use the same application to capture estimated voter turnout data. Approximate voter turn out data of each phase of the elections will be displayed through this app. There will be two hourly reporting of voting percentage from 9.00 am to the end of poll. The concerned ARO and RO will share the data with media accordingly.
Around 1454 polling stations in phase 2 will have CCTV camera for live webcasting to control rooms established at District and CEO office. Around 124 polling stations will have two cameras for inside and outside surveillance. Around 2000 vehicles of Polling parties and sector officers will be equipped with GPS system so as to locate the vehicle and monitor movement, including over speeding. Besides, Satellite Phones, Wireless sets and Special Runners have been put in place in around 13 polling stations which fall in communication shadow areas.
In the entire Union Territory, from the date of announcement of the election till date material/cash of around Rs 28.497 crore has been seized by various enforcing departments.
As per the communication, the public campaigning in areas of Jammu Parliamentary Constituency has concluded her on Wednesday 24th April evening, 48 hours before conduct of the elections. No one, including citizens, journalists, politicians, would be allowed to partake in any election campaign related activity. Holding public meetings, conferences, interviews has been stopped to give the voters a peaceful break from being influenced by campaigns so that they may make a considered decision while voting. Besides, political advertisement in print media can only be done only after prior clearance from Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC). Sale of liquor, even from the licensed shops, has also been banned. Till date, 78 grievances have been received on C-VIGIL app and more than 50 % resolved in time and other are under resolution. For filing Model Code of Conduct Violation cases by the citizens, C-VIGIL app provides time-stamped evidentiary proof of the Model Code of Conduct/Expenditure Violation by empowering every citizen to click a photo or video using his or her Smartphone.
To monitor various election related activities and also check MCC compliance, a Command and Control Room has been established at CEO office, Jammu and similar mini control rooms at every DEO offices which are functioning 24 x 7. Apart from looking for MCC violation, the Control room gets live feed from more than 55% Polling Stations and all vehicles being used for poll parties movement.
LS Elections 2024: DIPR conducts a vibrant SVEEP Campaign to spread awareness among Voters
Jammu: The Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) on Wednesday organised a signature campaign and cultural program at Bahu Plaza to spread awareness among the voters.
The event, held under the aegis of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program, aimed to enlighten and educate the electors about their voting rights and encourage them to participation in the Electoral process.
The DIPR officers, including Director Information, Jatin Kishore, Joint Director Information Jammu, AtulGutpa, Joint Director Information (HQ), VevaikPuri and Deputy Director (AV), Deepak Dubey, Deputy Director (PR), Ankush Hans and other officers actively engaged with the public and encouraged the participants to exercise their voting right on the polling day. Their presence underscored the government’s commitment to foster civic engagement and informed electoral participation.
The event garnered significant attention and participation from the public and passersby, signaling a positive response to the initiative. Attendees had the opportunity to not only pledge their commitment to vote but also to enjoy the cultural festivities that accompanied the campaign.
Through initiatives like these, the DIPR continues to play a pivotal role in promoting electoral literacy and civic engagement.
LS Elections 2024: Pledge taking ceremony under SVEEP held at DHS Jammu
Jammu: A pledge taking ceremony, under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program, was on Wednesday held in the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) here.
Director Health Services, Dr.RakeshMagotra along with DD Planning, CAO, DNO, AD Schemes, AD HEB, CoS, CMO Jammu, and all Officers/Officials from Directorate and CMO office participated in oath taking ceremony and pledged to actively promote and encourage employees to actively participate in elections.
The initiative aimed to inform employees about the importance of voting and encouraging them to exercise their democratic right. ?
A rally was also taken out within the premises of Directorate to promote awareness regarding the importance of voting to exercise every individual’s democratic right.
LS Elections 2024: Mega SVEEP Campaign witnesses over 8,000 Events, mobilize 560,000 Participants in Single Day
Jammu: In an unprecedented mobilization effort, the District Election Office Jammu on Wednesday concluded a comprehensive voter awareness campaign featuring over 8,000 events, and a participation of over 560,000 individuals, all within a single day.
Held under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program ahead of polling in PC Jammu and spearheaded by Sachin Kumar Vaishya, District Election Officer (DEO) and Returning Officer for Jammu Parliamentary constituency, the initiative marked one of the largest electoral awareness campaigns in the region.
The events, organised across the district at all district offices, sectoral offices, sub-offices, polling stations, and in all the educational institutions including University of Jammu, Colleges, and schools, were strategically designed to educate, encourage and empower the electorate, focusing especially on new voters, ensuring they understand the importance of their participation in the democratic process.
Some of the notable departments/offices that organised these events included Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), Social Welfare Department, which conducted 2654 events, engaging 66,350 participants; Rural Development Department conducted 2450 events, engaging 52,000 participants; Revenue Department held 1600 events, engaging 32,500 participants; Health Department conducted 500 events, engaging 12,500 participants; Education Department conducted 980 events, engaging 84,540 participants.
One of the highlights of the campaign was the administration of the Voters’ Pledge by The DEO at District Collector’s office complex. It was attended by all district and sectoral officers and officials, who collectively vowed to uphold the democratic values and actively participate in the electoral process. Voters’ pledge was also administered at all the departments/offices.
Emphasizing the critical role of young electorate, a special event was organized in the General Zorawar Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu, which witnessed the enthusiastic participation of over 2,000 young voters.
Rahul RanjanMahiwal, General Observer, Jammu LokSabha Constituency, Dr GajaraoBhupal, Police Observer also participated in the event. The first-time voters were urged to not only vote but also to ask their families and peers to participate actively in the festival of democracy. EPICs were also distributed amongst the attendees. The event concluded with enthralling cultural performance by the celebrity singer SangramHanjram who also appealed the voters to vote in large numbers on 26th Aril, 2024.
The extensive SVEEP campaign utilized a variety of innovative methods to maximize outreach and impact. These included street plays, puppet shows, debates, quizzes, and workshops reaching every corner of the district. Each program was tailor-made to cater to the local audience, ensuring that the message of electoral participation was clear and comprehensible.
Additionally, the campaign harnessed the power of modern technology, utilizing social media platforms and other digital means to reach out to the tech-savvy population, with crucial information about voter rights, election dates and process.
The success of the SVEEP initiative in Jammu was a result of collaborative efforts between government officials and employees, NGOs, and civil society groups, which facilitated a wider reach of the campaign.
As the district gears up for the upcoming election on April 26, 2024, the DEO Jammu expressed confidence that the overwhelming participation and enthusiasm witnessed during the SVEEP campaign will translate into a significant increase in voter turnout and reaffirm the commitment of the region to vibrant democratic ethos.
LS Elections 2024: SVEEP Team Rajouri engages with civil society representatives at Sialsui, Bali Bawan Kalakote
Rajouri: The District SVEEP Team, under the guidance of District Election Officer Rajouri, Om PrakashBhagat, conducted an enlightening session aimed at raising awareness about the significance of voting in a democratic process. The session targeted Civil Society Representatives and Teachers from Sialsui and Bali Bawan of Kalakote area.
The main event, held at GHSS Sialsui, was attended by Principal Tahir Shawl. Attendees were informed about the upcoming opportunity to exercise their franchise on April 26. The District SVEEP Team, consisting of Prof. Mohammad IqbalRaina (Nodal Officer SVEEP), Prof. Khalid Rayaz, and Mohammad AyazRaina, lecturer, elaborated on the objectives and mission of SVEEP .
Later, the SVEEP team engaged with the public gathering at Bus Stand Bali Bawan, educating the citizens about their voting rights and the importance of active participation in the democratic process.
The District SVEEP Team is continuously working for fostering civic engagement and empowering every eligible voter to make their voice heard in the democratic process.
LS Elections 2024: Jammu city traffic wing hosts voters’ awareness prog under SVEEP
Jammu: SSP Traffic City Jammu on Wednesday chaired a Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program attended by officers/officials of the city wing of the Traffic Department here
The attendees were briefed about the guidelines set by the Election commission of India.
The participants were educated regarding their right to vote and stress was laid to ensure maximum electoral participation during the forthcoming General Parliament Elections.
SSP Traffic City Jammu, while amplifying public information among the members of the traffic wing, highlighted the theory of “Greater participation for a stronger democracy and also directed the officer/officials to garner public cooperation for the smooth conduct of Parliamentary Election-2024.
LS Elections 2024: General Observer reviews Election preparedness in Poonch
Observer Inspects election infra, strong rooms, control room, booths
Poonch: General Observer for the Anantnag-Rajouri Parliamentary Constituency, Sanjeev Kumar Besra and Police Observer, Akhileshwar Singh on Wednesday presided over a meeting of zonal and sectoral magistrates here to assess the preparedness for the upcoming LokSabha elections in the border district of Poonch.
District Election Officer, (DC) Poonch, Yasin M. Choudhary was also present in the meeting, held in DakBunglow and attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner, Tahir Mustafa Malik, ACR Poonch, QadeerUlRehman, Deputy Election Officer, Mohd. Saleem, Nodal officer to general observer, Mohd.Rafiq, ACD Poonch, Shafiq Mir besides nodal officers and other concerned employees were present.
During the meeting, a detailed discussion took place regarding the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), complaint monitoring, communication plan, SMS monitoring, Media certification and monitoring committee (MCMC), material management, storage of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs), training and Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP), printing of ballot papers, transport plan, randomization of polling parties, and the strong room, among other topics.
Deputy Commissioner Poonch, Yasin M. Choudhary, provided a brief overview of the election process in the district, highlighting its significance and the responsibilities of the officers involved.
The Observer urged the officers to carry out their duties with dedication and a profound sense of responsibility. He emphasized the importance of ensuring a smooth and transparent electoral process and extended his best wishes in advance for the successful conduct of the elections.
Prior to the meeting, the Observer conducted a thorough inspection of the election cell, strong room, control room and polling booths.
During the inspection, the Observer issued necessary directions to the concerned officials to ensure free fair and transparent election.
Furthermore, the Observer paid particular attention to the strong room, where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) are securely stored. He emphasized the significance of maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of these machines, as they play a vital role in the electoral process.
Meanwhile, a cultural programme and Mushaira were held under SVEEP at DKC Degree College Auditorium Poonch.
During the programme, students from different educational institutions exhibited their talents through various cultural items, all centeredaround the theme of SVEEP.
The District Administration Poonch expressed heartfelt appreciation to all the participants, including the poets, artists, and students, for their outstanding performances and their efforts in spreading awareness about the importance of electoral participation.
LS Elections 2024: GDC Marh organises cleanliness drive under SVEEP
Jammu: Bharat Scout and Guides Unit, NSS Unit of Government Degree College Marh organized two-day Shramdaan /cleanliness drive on college campus here.
The students and volunteers participated enthusiastically in the activity and weeded out hazardous plants, weeds, wild bushes, etc. by using agricultural tools already procured by the college.
The program was supervised by Prof. AshaKumari (HOD Geography), Dr.Priya Sharma (HOD Economics) and Prof. Surbhi Gupta (HOD Commerce) under SVEEP activity.
Principal of the college Prof. Dr.Rakesh Kumar Koul, while inspecting the activity, interacted with the students and faculty.
The students expressed their gratitude for providing an opportunity to participate in the cleanliness drive of College campus fostering a sense of eco-safe environment.