Observers direct strict adherence to election guidelines; assure that all complaints, concerns raised would be addressed with utmost priority
Pulwama : A comprehensive meeting was convened on Monday at the District Administrative Complex, Pulwama, to review the preparedness for the upcoming General Elections to the Legislative Assembly 2024.
The meeting was attended by General Observers; Manoj Kumar, VadarevuVinay Chand, BrajeshNarain Singh, KhartadeSudamaRao, Police Observer, Akhliesh Kumar and Expenditure Observer, appointed by the Election Commission of India.
The meeting focused on ensuring a free, fair and transparent election process in the district.
General Observers briefed the political parties on the role of observers in monitoring the electoral process. They assured the representatives that all complaints and concerns raised by political parties would be addressed with utmost priority. The observers emphasized the need for strict adherence to election guidelines and urged political parties to maintain decorum during the election campaign.
The political representatives appreciated the efforts of the district administration and election observers in ensuring a level playing field for all contestants. They also brought forward certain issues and suggestions regarding the polling arrangements, which were noted by the Deputy Commissioner for immediate action.
Earlier, the District Election Officer (DEO), Dr.BasharatQayoom highlighted the administrative arrangements made to facilitate smooth polling across all constituencies in Pulwama. He emphasized the importance of cooperation from all political stakeholders in adhering to the Model Code of Conduct and ensuring peaceful conduct during the election period.
The meeting concluded with a consensus on maintaining transparency, fairness and peace throughout the election process, ensuring that the democratic exercise is conducted smoothly in the district.
Among others the meeting was attended by Returning Officers, Nodal Officers besides concerned.
General Observer Brajesh Narain Singh visits Joint Control Room in Pulwama
Pulwama : As part of the ongoing preparations for the General Elections to the Legislative Assembly 2024, General Observer, Brajesh Narain Singh Monday visited the Joint Control Room (JCR) in Pulwama.
The visit was aimed at reviewing the operational readiness and coordination mechanisms in place to ensure the smooth conduct of elections, particularly in Assembly Constituency 29-Tral.
During the visit, General Observer was briefed by the district officials on the functioning of the Joint Control Room, which serves as the nerve centre for all election-related activities in the district. The JCR is equipped with advanced communication systems and real-time monitoring tools to ensure seamless coordination between various election authorities and law enforcement agencies.
Singh inspected the facilities and reviewed the preparedness measures being undertaken to address any exigencies that may arise during the election period. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a high level of vigilance and responsiveness in the days leading up to the elections. He also interacted with the officers on duty, stressing the need for prompt reporting and resolution of any issues related to the electoral process.
The General Observer gave his valuable suggestions with regard to the arrangements made at the Joint Control Room and appreciated the efforts of the district administration.
He reiterated the commitment of the Election Commission of India to conducting free, fair and transparent elections, and assured that all necessary steps would be taken to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
General Observer Shopian AC reviews preparedness with Nodal officers
Shopian: General Observer for Shopian Assembly Constituency, Roohi Khan on Monday chaired a meeting with Nodal Officers at Mini Secretariat, here to review and assess the preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections in the 37- Shopian Assembly Constituency.
The meeting was attended by various constituency nodal officers and district nodal officers responsible for different election-related activities.
During the meeting, the Police Nodal Officer apprised the Observer about the arms deposition, status of NDPS, PSA and UAPA cases. It was intimated that out of 12 arms licenses in the Shopian AC, 12 arms have been deposited with concerned police stations and 02 arms impounded.
The police officials accompanying the FSTs need to be sensitised more on removal of campaign materials like banners, flags etc from government properties, General Observer stressed, while also asking for observance of guidelines on displaying campaign permissions by candidates in their vehicles and sought compliance from Flying Squads.
The Observer was informed that three Flying Squads are working in the Shopian AC to keep watch on the movement of large amounts of cash, arms and ammunition, items of bribe and illegal liquor.
Returning Officer, Shopian was asked to share daily reports of complaints registered on C-vigil and offline mode whereas BDOs and EO MC were tasked to conduct sanitation drives on pre-poll and poll day and ensure sanitation around the polling stations.
The Observer called upon MC Shopian to ensure compliance of MCC in the town, instructing to keep watch on usage of government properties for campaigning and publicity through media, rented out spaces/ locations identified for campaign/ advertising with rates for the awareness of candidates.
Since BLOs remain busy with election related activities on the poll day, BDOs, CMO, CDPOs, CEO were asked to depute their field functionaries like PS, GRS, NYCs, ASHAs and AWWs to help BLOs and manage the Help Desks along with queue.
Roohi Khan called upon ROs to watch over the pace of voting on poll day and to take call to deploy extra staff from reserve parties for gearing up polling, in case of slow polling in order to facilitate appreciable voter turnouts and also emphasized on making medical arrangements in place across the Polling stations of the Assembly Constituency.
The meeting concluded with directives from the Observer to all officers to ensure meticulous planning and execution to facilitate the smooth conduct of the elections.
2ndrandomisation of EVM/ VVPAT held at Shopian
251 EVMs allotted among polling stations, with 50% reserves at 125 EVMs
Shopian: As per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI), second randomisation of EVM/ VVPAT was conducted on Monday at Mini Secretariat, Shopian in presence of contesting candidates and recognised agents of political parties.
The exercise was supervised by the General Observer, 36- Zainapora, JeevanBabu K and General Observer, 37 -Shopian, Roohi Khan.
All EVMs available in the district were allotted AC wise in the first round of randomisation, the candidates and agents of political parties were apprised on the occasion and during the second round held on Monday, 129 EVM/ VVPATs were allotted to equal number of polling stations of Zainapora AC with reserve EVM/ VVPATs kept at 50% of the total number of polling stations.
For Shopian AC, 122 EVM/VVPATs were allotted to 122 polling stations, with 61 EVMs kept reserve, constituting 50% of the total.
They were further informed, in case, any EVM constituting the Ballot Unit ( BU), Control Unit ( CU) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) mal- functions during commissioning, mock and actual polling, EVMs shall be replaced from reserve stock.
The agents were informed that the commissioning of the EVMs shall start from 4th September and were requested to be available during the process and be proactive for sharing apprehensions, grievances and worry lists, advised the General Observer, Shopian.
The General Observer for Shopian further asked them to train their party agents for polling and counting day activities for the purpose of fair and transparent electoral process.
The printed copies of the list of randomised EVMs, polling station wise, were handed over to political parties agents and contesting candidates, belonging to JKNC, JKPDP, JKAP, JKNPP (B)and other independents of both the ACs.
DEO, Mohammad Shahi Saleem Dar, RO Zainapora, Shopian, Dy DEO, Nodal Officers and other concerned were also present.
General Observer Malikarjuna A inspects election facilities at AC-51 Bhadarwah
Bhaderwah: General Observer, Malikarjuna A for Assembly Constituency (AC) 51- Bhadarwah conducted an inspection of R. O office, Election Cell , Media Cell and Ongoing Training of Election staff here in the local Community Hall on Monday .
The General Observer was accompanied by Liaison officers – TehsildarBhalla and EXEN PWD & R&B Bhadarwah along with a team of election officials. The inspection aimed to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place for the smooth conduct of the upcoming elections.
During the visit, the team reviewed the facilities available at these centres focusing on accessibility, security, and the overall preparedness to handle the Election process efficiently. The General Observer also interacted with the staff to discuss and address challenges and ensure that all protocols are followed to facilitate a free and fair election.
While Inspecting Training centre, he interacted with the trainees at Mock Poll organised to assess the functioning of polling officials designated as P1, P2 and P3. The staff was instructed to strive for a transparent and fair election process, urging all Officers and officials to prioritize voter safety and accessibility.
2nd Randomization of EVMs conducted at Pulwama
Pulwama: The second randomisation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for the upcoming General Elections to the Legislative Assembly, 2024 was successfully conducted on Monday at the District Administrative Complex, Pulwama.
The event was supervised by District Election Officer (DEO) Dr.BasharatQayoom, in the presence of General Observers Manoj Kumar, VadarevuVinay Chand, BrajeshNarain Singh, KhartadeSudamaRao, in addition to Returning Officers of all ACs various Contesting Candidates and their representatives were also present.
The randomization process is a critical component of election preparations, ensuring the impartial allocation of EVMs across the district’s polling stations.
Dr.Basharat, highlighted the significance of the randomization exercise in upholding the integrity of the electoral process. Randomization ensures that every polling station receives its EVM in a manner that is transparent and fair and consistent with ECI guidelines.
General Observer of all assembly constituencies were present during the exercise. They observed the whole exercise ensuring all guidelines and processes are adhered to letter and spirit.
The randomisation was done on the EMS Software/Portal of ECI, to the satisfaction of the representatives of all stakeholders including contesting Candidates their representatives and General Observers.
The nodal officers involved in the EVM management also played a key role in coordinating the randomization process, ensuring that all procedural requirements were strictly followed.
The EVM randomization marks a significant milestone in the district’s preparedness for the upcoming elections, reflecting the commitment of the Election Commission and the district administration to conducting elections with the highest standards of integrity.
2nd round of EVM-VVPAT Randomization conducted in Ramban
Ramban: The 2nd round of randomization of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs) for the General Election to the Legislative Assembly 2024 was successfully carried out on Monday in Ramban district.
The process was conducted under the supervision of General Observer Himanshu Kumar Rai; Expenditure Observer, Sulekh Chand Jain; and District Election Officer (DEO) Baseer-Ul-HaqChaudhary. The randomization process was attended by representatives of the political parties and senior district officials.
This phase of randomization involved the allocation of Ballot Units, Control Units, and VVPATs to polling stations across the two assembly segments in the district—AC-54 Ramban and AC-55 Banihal. This is a critical step to ensure the smooth conduct of polling in these segments.
Speaking at the event, DEO Ramban, Baseer-Ul-HaqChaudhary, emphasized the importance of randomization in ensuring free and fair elections. He noted that the process is carried out using specialized software to eliminate any human intervention, thereby enhancing the credibility of the election process.
Earlier, the DEO briefed political representatives on the randomization process, assuring them that all necessary measures have been taken to guarantee a fair and transparent electoral process.
The event was attended by key officials, including Dy. DEO Abdul Jabar, Returning Officer for AC-54 Ramban, S. Harpal Singh, Returning Officer for AC-55 Banihal, RizwanAsgar, and Assistant Returning Officers Ramban,Deep Kumar, Assistant Returning Officers Banihal, Imtiaz Ahmed and other officers.The randomization was conducted transparently by DIO NIC Ramban, Parshant Kumar.
Following the randomization, both the Observers and the DEO inspected the arrangements at the strong room AC-55 Ramban and issued necessary directions to the concerned officers to ensure the security and integrity of the electoral process.
Election Observers for district Kishtwar ACs available for public hearing daily
Kishtwar: General Observer, DoddaVantakaSwamy, (49-Kishtwar & 50-Paddar Nagseni Assembly Constituency) and A. Rahul Nadh (48-Inderwal) besides Police Observer for Kishtwar, Ranjeet Kumar Misra and Expenditure Observer Sameer Kumar Jha will be available for public hearing here in the Offices established in Chenab Bhavan and DulHastiBhawan, SeminaKishtwar between 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM daily.
The Observer would listen to election related matters of the stakeholders, including general public and political representatives. The stakeholders can meet the Observers for any query or complaint related to elections during the scheduled time. They can also approach the Observer on their mobile phone number.
Citizens can contact General Observer, DoddaVankataSwamy on 8082861305; A. Rahul Nadh on 9149711791; Police Observer, Ranjeet Kumar Misra on 9103968348 and Expenditure Observer, Sameer Jha on 8082091426.
Poll Staff imparted training at Poonch
Poonch: A comprehensive training and orientation programme was hosted on Monday for polling staff here at three separate locations in Poonch, Surankote and Mendhar assembly constituencies. The programme aimed to prepare the officers for their crucial role in the upcoming 2024 Assembly elections.
During the sessions, officers were thoroughly briefed on their pivotal responsibilities in the forthcoming parliamentary elections. District-level and Assembly Level master Trainers conducted detailed sessions on vulnerability mapping, providing the officers with essential skills and insights specific to the unique challenges of Poonch district, particularly in border areas.
The officials and polling parties underwent intensive training on the operation and handling of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) syste The training sessions, organized by the district election authority, were aimed at ensuring smooth, transparent, and error-free elections.
The training program was conducted under the supervision of senior electoral officers who provided detailed demonstrations on the setup, operation, and troubleshooting of EVMs and VVPATs. Participants include presiding officers, polling officers, and other key personnel who will be directly involved in the election process.
VikasKundal, DEO Poonch, emphasized the importance of training, stating, “The accuracy and integrity of the electoral process are paramount. Through these training sessions, we are equipping our officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to handle the EVMs and VVPATs effectively. This will ensure that the voting process is conducted smoothly and that voters’ confidence in the electoral system is upheld.”
The training also covered crucial aspects such as the proper sealing of EVMs after polling, handling of VVPAT slips, and measures to be taken in case of technical issues during the voting process. Mock polling exercises were conducted to give participants hands-on experience in operating the machines and managing real-time scenarios.
DEO Poonch assesses preparations in polling stations located on Line of Control
Poonch : District Election Officer (DEO) Poonch, VikasKundal on Monday conducted an extensive tour of the Polling Stations located near the Line of Control as part of the preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections 2024.
Accompanied by senior officials from the district administration and education department, the DEO inspected several schools where polling stations have been set up for the upcoming assembly elections.
The team visited Government High School Mangnar, Government Middle School Jhullas, GHSS Jhullas and Government Middle School Salotri.
The DEO assessed the infrastructure and facilities available at polling stations. He examined the accessibility for differently-abled voters, availability of basic amenities such as electricity, water supply, and provision of sanitation. Special attention was given to ensuring proper seating arrangements and separate queues for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
The DEO interacted with school staff to get feedback on any specific requirements or concerns related to the polling process in these border areas. He emphasized the importance of creating a conducive environment for voters to exercise their democratic right freely and fairly.
The DEO also reviewed the security arrangements at these locations and the condition of bunkers, where alternative arrangements for the polling has been done in case of any urgency or cross border firing. He discussed contingency plans with security officials to ensure the safety of voters and polling staff.
Expressing satisfaction with the overall preparedness, the DEO directed the officials to address any remaining issues promptly.
2nd Randomization of EVMs held at Doda
Doda: The second randomization of EVMs for the upcoming General Elections to Assembly Elections 2024 for Assembly Constituencies (AC) 52-Doda and AC 53-Doda West.
The General Observer for the twin ACs AdityaNegi chaired the randomization meeting, which was attended by key officials and political representatives from both constituencies.
The randomization process is a crucial step in ensuring the fairness and transparency of the election process. It involves the allocation of polling staff and the random selection of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to be used in different polling stations across the district. This process helps maintain the integrity of the elections by ensuring that the assignment of election duties and machines is free from any bias.
The second randomization process concluded successfully, and all stakeholders expressed their commitment to ensuring a smooth and fair electoral process.
The General Observer provided detailed information regarding all parameters of the randomization process to the representatives of political parties. He informed them that the EVMs brought from the warehouse to the constituencies are sent to the polling stations after several formalities. During the randomization process, a detailed report after random selection was distributed among the representatives of the political parties.
The EVMs, ballot units, and VVPATs were checked, and the pairing of election voting machines was conducted to ensure proper functioning. The randomization process was attended by RO AC 52-Doda, Sunil Kumar Bhutyal, RO AC 53-Doda West, Ashok Kumar Katoch, representatives of political parties, and officials of both constituencies.
Election Expenditure monitoring reviewed at Doda
Doda: A meeting to review Election expenditure monitoring mechanism for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 was held here on Monday in the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Office Complex.
The meeting was chaired by Expenditure Observer Arshdeep Singh and attended by the Deputy District Election Officer Om PrakashBhagat, accounts officers, accounting team, and representatives of various political parties.
During the meeting, the Expenditure Observer provided a comprehensive overview of the rules and regulations governing election expenditure as outlined by the Election Commission of India and the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) guidelines. Singh emphasized the importance of maintaining transparency and accountability in election spending and highlighted the need for all political parties to strictly adhere to these regulations to ensure a fair electoral process.
Representatives of political parties raised several questions about permissible expenses during the election period, seeking clarification on various aspects of the expenditure guidelines. In response, the Expenditure Observer instructed all political parties to maintain detailed records of their daily expenditures. He stressed that these records should be meticulously documented and submitted for review as required by the Election Commission’s guidelines.
Expenditure experts were also present to address queries and provide further clarification on specific expenditure-related issues raised by the representatives. They explained the procedures for maintaining accurate expenditure records, the types of expenses that are permissible, and the documentation required for each expense. The experts emphasized the consequences of failing to comply with these guidelines, which could result in penalties or disqualification from the election process.
The meeting concluded with a directive from the Expenditure Observer, urging political parties to ensure that all expenditures are within the limits set by the Election Commission of India. He reminded the attendees that strict adherence to these norms is essential for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process. All participating parties agreed to comply with the directives and assured their commitment to transparent and lawful election campaigns.
The Expenditure Observer also announced that inspections of the expenditures made by political parties would take place on September 5, 10, and 16. Additionally, he informed the attendees that the maximum limit of expenditure during the election is Rs 40 lakh, as suggested by the Election Commission of India.
It was also decided that regular training sessions would be conducted for the political parties and their accounting teams to further educate them on the best practices for maintaining transparency in election expenditure. The Expenditure Observer emphasized the role of these sessions in fostering a culture of compliance and accountability among all stakeholders in the electoral process.
