Pulwama: Khartade Kalicharan Sudama Rao, the General Observer for 35-Rajpora Assembly Constituency Friday conducted a thorough inspection of several polling stations across the constituency, as part of the ongoing preparations for the Legislative Assembly Elections 2024.
The General Observer visited various polling stations in Lassipora, Achan A, Achan B, Panzran, Patipora, Rakh Children, Nowpora Payeen and Armulla. He reviewed the preparedness at each polling station, including infrastructure, accessibility and security arrangements.
He interacted with officials to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place for a smooth and efficient voting process on Election Day, scheduled for 18th September 2024.
The visit underscores the Election Commission’s commitment to ensuring free, fair and transparent elections in the region.
General Observer for Rajpora-AC reviews commissioning at Strong Room
Pulwama: The General Observer for Rajpora Assembly Constituency (AC), Khartade Kalicharan Sudama Rao visited the Strong Room Friday to review the ongoing commissioning process ahead of the Legislative Assembly Elections 2024.
During the visit, the General Observer conducted a thorough inspection of the Strong Room and assessed the arrangements in place for securing election materials and electronic voting machines (EVMs).
He emphasized the need for stringent security measures and adherence to the guidelines provided by the Election Commission of India to ensure a transparent and efficient electoral process.
The visit highlights the Election Commission’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and security in the election process.
General Observer 36- Zainapora AC visits polling stations, takes stock of AMF
Shopian: In the run-up to the poll day preparations, General Observer for Assembly Constituency (AC) 36- Zainapora, Jeevan Babu K Friday visited many polling stations of the AC to inspect the availability of the assured minimum facilities (AMF).
The Observer visited polling stations including at Kachdoora, Kaprin, Kanjiullar Adijan, Dangam etc, and reviewed the assured minimum facilities available for voters, ensuring that the arrangements are in place with the ECI guidelines, particularly regarding accessibility for differently-abled voters.
Assured Minimum Facilities are a set of basic infrastructural interventions and welfare based services that are made or set up at each polling station to facilitate the voters and polling staff for effective and hassle free polling.
These facilities include provision for water, ramp, furniture, medical kit, proper electricity and signage, help desk, toilets, shade, queue management etc.
Later, the Observer also inspected Flying Squads and impressed them for strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct and arresting the violations of MCC by timely action.
J&K Assembly Polls: General Observer chairs meeting on Poll Preparedness in AC-Pampore
Pulwama: A meeting to review poll preparedness for the upcoming Legislative Assembly Elections 2024 was chaired by General Observer for 32-Pampore, Vadarevu Vinay Chand at the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) in Pampore.
The meeting was attended by key officials, including the Additional District Development Commissioner, Showkat Ahmad; Returning Officer (RO) for 32-Pampore, Nazir Ahmad Mir and Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) for 32-Pampore. In addition, various teams responsible for ensuring the smooth conduct of elections were present, including the Video Surveillance Team (VST), Video Viewing Team (VVT) and the Flying Squad Team (FST).
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on ensuring the efficient deployment of resources, maintaining law and order and addressing any logistical concerns related to polling day.
Vadarevu Vinay Chand emphasized the importance of strict adherence to election guidelines and seamless coordination between the teams to guarantee free and fair elections.
Later, the General Observer visited the Commissioning Centre to oversee the final stages of preparation and ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place for the election process.
Police Observer assesses Security Arrangements in Pulwama, Rajpora Constituencies
Pulwama: Akhilesh Kumar, the Police Observer for Pulwama, paid a visit to the Pulwama and Rajpora constituencies to oversee the security measures in place for the upcoming Legislative Assembly Elections 2024.
As part of his assessment, Kumar conducted thorough inspections at key 24/7 naka points, including those at Hawal, Tahab Crossing and Newa Point. He evaluated the efficiency of security personnel stationed at these checkpoints, ensuring that vigilant and round-the-clock monitoring is maintained.
In addition to his inspection of the naka points, the Police Observer visited the polling booths at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Newa, where he assessed the preparedness and deployment of security for polling day. He highlighted the critical role of secure and well-managed polling stations in ensuring a smooth electoral process.
Furthermore, Kumar reviewed the daytime security arrangements at various other naka points across the region, focusing on the need for constant vigilance to uphold law and order during the election period.
His visit reaffirmed the Election Commission of India’s commitment to conducting free, fair and peaceful elections in the region.
J&K Assembly Polls: General Observer Shopian AC reviews Receipt, Dispatch Plan, Transport Plans & postal ballots facility
Observer also assesses AMFs at polling stations
Shopian: General Observer for 37- Shopian Assembly Constituency, Roohi Khan on Friday took a comprehensive assessment of election related plans at Shopian for the smooth and fair conduct of upcoming Assembly elections.
At the outset, the Observer interacted with micro- observers and sensitised them about their role in the elections. The Observer addressed their specific queries on mock poll, other assignments and also briefed them on filling the proforma, which are vital as per the guidelines.
The Observer also reviewed the receipt, dispatch & counting plans and transport plans with respective Nodal officers and suggested improvements for the impactful execution on the pre- poll & poll day.
While reviewing Postal ballots with the Nodal Officer, the Observer instructed for enrolling maximum eligible essential service staff and drivers deputed with the transport department for availing the postal ballot facility for registering their vote while not compromising their duties.
At GDC Shopian, the Observer attended the training session of women staff for pink polling stations. On the occasion, the Observer asked for replacing all staff from election related duties who have relationships with contesting candidates.
Later, Roohi Khan assessed assured minimum facilities (AMF) of polling stations with RO, AROs and BDOs, and reiterated her earlier instructions on strengthening help desks at polling stations with enhanced staff from line departments.
J&K Assembly Polls: Expenditure Observer inspects Expenditure Registers of Candidates in Pampore AC
Pulwama: Expenditure Observer (EO) for Pulwama, Shrikant N, on Friday visited the 32-Pampore Assembly Constituency and conducted an inspection at the office of the Returning Officer (RO) Pampore.
During the visit, the EO reviewed the expenditure registers maintained by the candidates for the ongoing Legislative Assembly Elections 2024.
Shrikant N carefully examined the financial records to ensure compliance with the Election Commission of India’s guidelines on expenditure monitoring. He emphasized the importance of transparency and accuracy in the maintenance of expenditure registers and reiterated that strict action would be taken in case of any discrepancies.
The visit forms part of the Election Commission’s comprehensive oversight mechanism to ensure fair and transparent elections, with particular focus on the monitoring of candidate spending.
Expenditure Observers for B’la hold review meeting at Dak Bungalow
“Sensitize the representatives of Political Parties, Nodal Officers about ECI guidelines regarding maintenance of expenditure books”
Baramulla: In an effort to ensure transparency and fairness in the upcoming Assembly Elections 2024, Election Expenditure Observers (EOs) for Baramulla, Sidlingappa Teli and Prakash Borgohain chaired a meeting Friday with the representatives of political parties and teams responsible for overseeing the expenditure of candidates and political parties participating in the elections, at Dak Bungalow here.
The meeting was attended by the District Election Officer Baramulla, Minga Sherpa; Senior Superintendent of Police, Baramulla, Mohammad Zaid; Additional District Development Commissioner Baramulla, Syed Qamar Sajad; Superintendent of Police, Sopore, Divya Dev, representatives of political parties, Nodal Officers of Expenditure Monitoring Committees, Video Surveillance Teams (VSTs), Video Viewing Teams (VVTs), Model Code of Conduct, Accounting Teams, and others.
At the outset, the EOs were provided a detailed briefing by the DEO regarding the formation of Expenditure Monitoring Teams, SSTs, VSTs, and VVTs, and accounting teams to oversee the expenditures of candidates participating in the elections and to enforce and inspect violations of the Model Code of Conduct as per the guidelines set forth by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Minga Sherpa further informed that the administration has made all necessary preparations, with different teams collaborating effectively to ensure a level playing field for the candidates contesting Assembly Elections to guarantee free, fair, and seamless conduct of elections in all the seven assembly constituencies of the district.
Speaking during the meeting, Sidlingappa Teli emphasized to all the representatives of the political parties the importance of maintaining accurate expenditure records while adhering to legal expenditure limits of the candidates in accordance with the guidelines outlined by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Meanwhile, Prakash Borgohain directed the officers and concerned team members, instructing them to prevent any illicit or illegal activities by political parties aimed at enticing voters during the election period.
Later, the EOs held a comprehensive training session for the nodal officers of expenditure monitoring teams, VST, SST, accounting teams, and other concerned teams to ensure transparency and strict adherence to ECI guidelines during Assembly Elections 2024.
Expenditure Observer reviews Assembly Election Arrangements in B’pora
Bandipora: The Expenditure Observer for District Bandipora, Sudeep Dabas on Friday convened a meeting to review preparations for the upcoming Assembly Elections-2024.
During the meeting, Sudeep Dabas reviewed the operations of various teams, including Assistant Expenditure Observers, Accounting teams, Video Surveillance Teams, Video Viewing Teams, Flying Squads, Static Surveillance Teams, the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC), and the Control Room.
Sudeep Dabas urged the Surveillance Teams to work with dedication to ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly, fairly, and transparently and to minimize inconvenience to the public while performing duties. He emphasized the importance of effective coordination among the surveillance teams to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure a peaceful election period.
Nodal Officer Expenditure Monitoring briefed the chair about the working of different teams and outlined the district’s geographical challenges and the extensive planning undertaken by the District Administration. He informed the chair that Bandipora District encompasses three Assembly Constituencies, with 312 polling stations and 220 polling locations.
The briefing also highlighted the meticulous operations of the Video Surveillance Teams (VSTs), Flying Squads (FSTs), and Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) aimed at ensuring a successful electoral process.
The Nodal Officer MCMC also provided an update on the functioning of the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee. He highlighted the committee’s rigorous procedures for monitoring media coverage and ensuring that the media plays a fair role in the electoral process, besides ensuring that all political advertisements comply with ECI guidelines.
Sudeep Dabas stressed the importance of closely monitoring both local and social media to prevent the spread of misinformation and ensure compliance with election guidelines. He highlighted that a vigilant approach is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that all media content adheres to established regulations.
Kathua: Election Expenditure Observer reviews operational efficacy of Monitoring Teams
Kathua: In preparation for the Assembly Elections, Expenditure Observer Atesham Ansari Friday chaired a meeting with the members of Expenditure Monitoring Cell in the Conference Hall of DC office complex, here on Friday.
District Election Officer Dr. Rakesh Minhas, Liaison Officer with the Observer Shokat Mehmood, Nodal Officer for MCMC Neeraj Bhargav, Nodal Officer for the Expenditure Monitoring Cell Anirudh Khajuria and other concerned officials were also present.
The Expenditure Observer emphasized the importance of strict adherence to the Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines. “These guidelines ensure a level playing field for all contesting candidates by enforcing a maximum expenditure ceiling of Rs 40 lakhs”, he added.
Ansari urged the teams to gain thorough knowledge of the relevant provisions of the Representation of People’s Act to ensure proper conduct.
J&K Assembly Polls: General Observer inspects Polling Stations in Bhaderwah
Doda: General Observer for Assembly Constituency (AC) 51-Bhaderwah, Mallikarjuna A, accompanied by District Election Officer (DEO), Harvinder Singh on Friday conducted a comprehensive inspection of the polling stations in Bhaderwah, as part of the ongoing preparations for the upcoming Assembly Elections.
The General Observer and DEO Doda interacted with the polling staff and reviewed the preparedness at each station.
Later, the General Observer and DEO Doda visited key election-related facilities at ADC office Bhaderwah. These included the Media Cell, Video Viewing, control room and other crucial sections involved in the management and monitoring of election activities.
The DEO assured that all arrangements are in place to ensure a free, fair and transparent election. He urged the polling personnel to adhere to the prescribed protocols and extend full cooperation to voters on the day of polling.
Election Observer visits Poonch villages across LoC fence to encourage voter participation
Poonch: To boost voter morale and encourage participation in the upcoming Assembly elections, the Election Expenditure Observer for the Poonch Haveli constituency Bharat Ramchandra Andhale, on Friday conducted a visit to the border villages Malti, Guntrian and Shahpur, located across the Fence along the Line of Control in the district.
The visit aimed to directly engage with the villagers, aware them about their democratic rights and the importance of exercising their vote.
During the visit, the Election Observer interacted with local residents, educating them about the power and significance of their right to vote in shaping the nation’s future. He emphasized the importance of participating in the electoral process, especially in border areas, and urged the villagers to come out in large numbers to cast their votes on Election Day.
Later, the Election Observer held a meeting with the Army officials stationed in the area. He issued instructions to maintain close surveillance along the Line of Control (LoC) to keep check on any illegal movement, particularly involving drug peddlers or anti-national elements. He emphasized the need for close coordination between the administration and security forces to safeguard the electoral process and maintain peace in the region.
Andhale further instructed the Army officials to strengthen their vigilance at the entry gates used by villagers residing in the areas across the Fence. He stressed the importance of conducting thorough checks while facilitating easy access for these residents to ensure their smooth participation in the electoral process. This measure aims to ensure that voters residing in these sensitive border areas can exercise their rights without any hindrance, contributing to a secure and inclusive election.
The Election Expenditure Observer, Bharat Ramchandra Andhale, was accompanied by Deputy SP Mohd Ajaz Choudhary, ARO Haveli Azhar Majeed, Liaison Officer Shafeeq Malik, and other officials from the district election authorities.
J&K Assembly Polls: General Observer visits Polling Stations in AC Kalakote Sunderbani & Nowshera
Rajouri : General Observer Mani Ram Sharma, on Friday conducted an extensive visit to polling stations in Assembly Constituencies 83-Kalakote Sunderbani and 84-Nowshera.
The visit was aimed at reviewing the overall preparedness ahead of elections scheduled to be held on September 25, 2024 in Rajouri- the second phase of the J&K Assembly Elections.
Mani Ram Sharma inspected the Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) at the polling stations, ensuring the availability of necessary amenities such as drinking water, electricity, toilets, ramps for Persons with Disabilities (PwD), and proper seating arrangements for voters.
He emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards of voter convenience and accessibility to encourage maximum voter participation.
Sharma also assessed the security arrangements in place to ensure a safe and peaceful election process. He reviewed the *vulnerability mapping* of sensitive polling stations and examined the contingency plans prepared by local authorities to address any potential challenges during the voting process.
Furthermore, Mani Ram Sharma conducted a thorough review of the scrutiny of documents at the Returning Officer (RO) offices in both Kalakote and Nowshera. This scrutiny is a key aspect of election preparation to ensure all legal requirements are met and election processes are conducted without any discrepancies.
As part of his role, Mani Ram Sharma will remain stationed at the Forest Guest House, Nowshera, until the culmination of the election process on October 8, 2024. Any political groups, candidates, or members of the public who have concerns or grievances can directly reach him at his local contact number: 9906475160
Accompanying Sharma on this important visit were ARO Kalakote, Tanveer Ahmed; ARO Nowshera, Babu Ram Tandon; Liaison Officer Mohd Sayeed; Tehsildar Nowshera, along with other district and sectoral officers. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) from the respective polling stations were also present, facilitating a thorough inspection and ensuring that all necessary measures were in place.
Observers inspect provision of AMFs in Polling Stations across Gool area
Ramban : General Observer Himanshu Kumar Rai, along with Police Observer Kunal Aggarwal and Expenditure Observer Sulekh Chand Jain, conducted a thorough inspection of various polling stations in the Gool area of Assembly Constituency-55 Banihal on Friday.
The Observers visited several polling stations housed in government buildings, including UPS Sailkund, Girls Middle School Sangaldan, Middle School Duksar Dalwah, High School Tungali, Girls Middle School Partmullah, and Girls UPS Jiss (Jaman).
During the inspection, the Observers reviewed the polling arrangements and ensured the availability of Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs), with particular attention on accommodating the needs of elderly voters, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs). They issued immediate instructions to the concerned officers to address any deficiencies and ensure a voter-friendly environment at the polling stations.
Tehsildar Gool, S. Harjeet Singh, SDPO Kuldeep Raj and other concerned officials accompanied the Observers throughout the inspection.
J&K Assembly Polls: General Observer inspects Critical Polling Stations in Mendhar to assess safety, preparations
Poonch : Election Observer for Mendhar Assembly Constituency of Poonch district, Siddhartha Das on Friday visited critical polling stations to assess safety measures and the overall readiness for the electoral process.
Accompanied by District Election Officer (DEO) Vikas Kundal, the Observer’s visit focused on reviewing key arrangements, including security, accessibility, and infrastructure, to guarantee a secure, free, and fair Assembly election.
During the visit, the Election Observer assessed key infrastructure at critical polling stations, including MS Mohalla Khokhran, HSS Girls Mendhar, MS Bhata Kas and HS Sakhi Maidan. He reviewed accessibility features such as ramps for persons with disabilities, water supply, power backup, proper security arrangements, and other essential facilities. The Election Observer instructed the officials to carry out any necessary renovations to ensure these sensitive polling stations are fully prepared for the upcoming elections.
The Observer emphasized the importance of adhering to Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines and instructed election officials to address any potential issues to ensure a hassle-free voting experience. He highlighted the need for seamless coordination among polling staff to maintain an efficient and secure voting process.
The observer stressed the importance of a well-structured election management plan, including the provision of Assured Minimum Facilities at all polling stations as mandated by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
Additionally, the Observer assessed security arrangements in coordination with local personnel, stressing the need for heightened vigilance, especially in critical polling stations identified in the Mendhar Assembly Constituency to prevent any illegal activities or disruptions during the election.
Expenditure Observer Samba reviews monitoring mechanism; assesses election arrangements in border areas
Samba: Expenditure Observer Karthik Manickam M, for Samba district on Friday took a comprehensive review of election expenditure monitoring at a meeting here Friday in the Conference Hall of DC Office Complex, Nandani Hills. The Observer earlier toured border areas to take on spot assessment of arrangements for the Assembly Election.
The meeting brought together key officials overseeing the expenditure of candidates and political parties across all three assembly constituencies in the district.
The Expenditure Observer was briefed by the nodal officer on the preparations for monitoring financial expenditures and enforcing the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) guidelines. The focus was on ensuring compliance with the Model Code of Conduct and addressing any potential violations or malpractices.
The meeting was attended by the nodal officer of the Expenditure Monitoring Committee, along with members of the Video Surveillance Teams (VSTs), Video Viewing Teams (VVTs), Model Code of Conduct Monitoring Teams, and Accounting Tea Notable attendees included BDO Vijaypur and heads of Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) and Flying Squad Teams (FSTs).
Earlier, the Expenditure Observer conducted a thorough review of election preparations in the sensitive border areas on the second day of his visit . He was accompanied by District Election Officer, Rajesh Sharma, SSP Vinay Kumar and other senior officers during the inspection.
Manickam visited polling stations in Jerda, Rangoor and Pangdour, focusing on security and infrastructure readiness. He also inspected bunkers and assessed security measures to ensure voter safety in these high-risk areas. Additionally, he visited the famous Baba Chamliyal shrine to review the surrounding security arrangements and preparedness.
