EOs direct enforcement of ECI’s guidelines for free, fair elections
Srinagar : The Expenditure Observers for District Srinagar for General Elections to Legislative Assembly-2024, Capt. PradeepShouryArya and Subodh Singh on Friday held meetings related to surveillance of expenditure of contesting candidates and political parties as per guidelines of Election Commission of India.
The meetings were aimed to curb the inducement of voters through money and illegal means used for canvassing and to ensure free and fair elections for the eight Assembly Constituencies of the Srinagar.
District Election Officer Srinagar (DEO), Dr Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat participated in the meeting virtually.
While SSP Srinagar, Aashish Kumar Mishra, ADDC Srinagar, Ghulam Hassan Sheikh, Nodal Officer MCMC, Officers from various Departments viz Income Tax, Excise, Drug Control Organization, Civil Aviation, Sales Taxes, Central & State GST, Lead Bank besides, Expenditure Observer and Assistant Expenditure Observers of all 8 Assembly Constituencies attended the meeting.
Addressing the meetings, Election Observers (EOs) directed for capacity building of AEOs for effective implementation of ECI guidelines regarding the expenditure incurred by contesting candidates and political parties during the election campaigns.
Besides they directed to sensitize and educate candidates in fray after the last date of withdrawal of nomination so they too shall remain aware regarding the expenditure guidelines.
The EOs stressed on maintaining shadow registers by AEOs for accounting of expenditure of candidates for reconciliation later on,
They urged AEOs to remain updated with expenditure rules and execution of policies on the ground besides being well informed about the boundaries of Assembly Constituencies, Electorates, important public places and political activities.
EOs stressed on strict vigil on suspicious transactions of money, CCTV coverage of Liquor vending shops and infiltration of illegal forest produce in Srinagar.
Speaking on the Occasion, District Election Officer(DEO)Srinagar maintained that the District Election Authority has taken all necessary measures to ensure smooth conduct of Assembly Elections-2024 in a free, fair and transparent manner.
Citing the successful conduct of Parliamentary Election, DEO said that most of the staff carry with them past experience to implement the ECI directions during Assembly Elections.
The Nodal Officers briefed Observers regarding their role of their respective Departments, Centres during Elections and the work done during the recent Parliamentary Election.
SSP Srinagar also briefed the chair regarding the detailed security arrangements across the District.
General Observer engages with Residents in AC-Tral, visits polling stations
Pulwama : In preparation for the upcoming Assembly elections, General Observer, BrajeshNarain Singh on Friday paid a crucial visit to AC 33-Tral and engaged directly with the residents, discussing the electoral process and addressing any concerns related to the forthcoming elections.
The General Observer underscored the importance of conducting free and fair elections, assuring the public that all necessary measures are being implemented to ensure a smooth voting experience. He attentively received feedback and suggestions from the locals, reinforcing the Election Commission’s dedication to transparency and active public participation.
Singh’s visit is part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing voter awareness and ensuring that the electorate is well-informed about the election procedures. The meeting witnessed significant attendance, highlighting the people’s active involvement in the democratic process.
Later, the Observer visited different Polling Stations of Sub Division Tral including Nargistan, Gutru, Satoora, Sofigund, Aripal, Lurgam, Devar and other areas.
The Election Commission continues to encourage all eligible voters in the Tral constituency to exercise their right to vote and actively participate in the democratic process.
Election Expenditure Observer reviews expenditure monitoring mechanism at G’bal
EO directs strict expenditure monitoring, reviews working of monitoring teams in Distt
Ganderbal: Election Expenditure Observer for Ganderbal, Ashok Gautamon Friday chaired a significant meeting with the Nodal Officers here in the conference hall of Mini Secretariat Ganderbal.
The meeting was attended by District Election Officer (DEO) Ganderbal, Shyambir; SSP Ganderbal, WasimQadri; Additional District Development Commissioner, Mushtaq Ahmad Simnani; Additional Deputy Commissioner, Gulzar Ahmad; Deputy District Election Officer (Dy DEO), AbidIqbal Malik; District Treasury Officer (DTO), Dr. Sareer Ahmad Mir and other key officials.
The primary focus of the meeting was to review and discuss the expenditure monitoring mechanism for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Elections 2024 in the district.
The Expenditure Observer emphasized the need for strict adherence to the Election Commission of India’s guidelines regarding election expenditure. He also highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
During the discussions, Election Observer provided detailed instructions to the DTO and other officials on implementing effective expenditure monitoring at the grassroots level.
The DEO briefed him on various facets of District Election Management Plan and apprised that the administration is committed to maintain transparency and efficiency throughout the election period.
The DTO, who is Nodal Officer for Election Expenditure, gave a detailed overview of the proactive steps taken by the district administration to monitor election-related expenditures strictly as per the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India through a PowerPoint Presentation.
Later, the Election Observer reviewed the functioning of Election Expenditure Monitoring Machinery including FSTs, VSTs, VVTs and Accounting Teams in a separate meeting.
While interacting with these teams the Election Observer highlighted the critical role of these teams and emphasized election expenditure monitoring shall be strictly followed as per the guidelines of ECI.
He said that the ECI mandate is to ensure a free and fair election process, urging the team members to perform their duties by upholding highest values of integrity and professionalism which will provide a level playing field to all candidates.
The meeting concluded with directives for the officials to ensure timely submission of expenditure reports, strict vigilance on election-related expenses, and prompt action on any violations.
Meanwhile, the Expenditure Observer conducted a thorough inspection of the arrangements at the Integrated District Election Control Room and interacted with the staff, providing guidance on handling election-related queries, complaints, and emergencies.
General Observer Shopian AC conducts extensive inspection of various polling stations
Shopian: The General Observer for the 37-Shopian Assembly Constituency (AC), Roohi Khan on Saturday continued her extensive inspection of polling stations of the constituency to assess the Assured minimum facilities (AMF) in anticipation of the upcoming elections.
The General Observer visited various places housing polling stations including at Town Hall, GDC, Treasury Office, PHE Office, BHSS and GHSS, where she closely examined the facilities of electricity, water, toilets, ramps etc.
Roohi Khan emphasized the need for polling stations to be accessible, particularly for women, elderly voters, and persons with disabilities, ensuring the inclusive and participatory electoral process.
After review, The General Observer issued directions to authorities to restore and maintain drainage around some polling stations along with conducting sanitation drives around the polling stations. She also instructed to ensure the availability of a help desk at each polling station.
AROs were directed to ensure participation of Panchayat secretaries, teaching and other staff, not engaged in polling day duties, to assist BLOs on pre poll day and poll day on Help Desk at each polling station. ASHAs and AWWs shall be kept available to support the BLO at the help desk, especially when the BLO is occupied with arranging food, logistics, and other arrangements, the General Observer instructed.
She also suggested conducting the training for ASHAs and AWWs before polls to ensure they perform the duties efficiently.
She emphasized the importance of voter turnout through SVEEP and Outreach programmes and engaged with Booth Level Officers (BLOs), encouraging them to implement strategies to increase voter participation in polling stations which witnessed low turnout in previous elections.
Directions have been given to install signboards indicating directions to the polling booths. Polling stations should prominently display basic information, including the station name, the number of male and female voters, total voting area, and the name and contact number of the BLO, stressed Roohi Khan.
The General Observer’s proactive approach underlines her commitment to a free, fair, and well-organized election process in the Shopian constituency.
Expenditure Observer, Shopian visits Hermain, reviews working of SSTs & FSTs
EO inspects functioning of Distt MCMC, EN Core, Control Centre
Shopian: Expenditure Observer for District Shopian, Nelapatla Ashok Babuon Friday reviewed the functioning of the Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs) and Flying Squad Teams (FSTs) during his visit to Hermain tehsil of the Shopian assembly constituency.
He interacted with the magistrates and teams deputed in the district to monitor and check expenditure monitoring and implementation of MCC.
He asked the teams to ensure strict adherence to the protocols of expenditure monitoring by taking all requisite measures to control irregular and illegal transactions of cash and kind.
The Expenditure Observer also visited the District Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC), En Core and Control Room at the Mini Secretariat and reviewed their functioning.
He emphasized on monitoring all print and electronic media content to check for paid news for smooth expenditure booking.
He also took stock of the En Core and district control room and directed for publicising the toll free number, 1950 of the control room in the prominent public places so that all complaints regarding elections are addressed for resolution.
DEO Shopian, FazLulHaseeb was present during the inspection who apprised the Observer on measures being taken to strengthen the district MCMC and Control Room.
RO Shopian, Dy DEO Shopian, Nodal Officer, MCMC and Control Room and other concerned accompanied the Observer.
Election Observers hold meeting with Returning Officers of various Assembly Constituencies in Ang
Anantnag : To ensure the smooth conduct of upcoming Assembly Elections-2024, the General Observer Pooran Chandra Kishan and Expenditure Observer, Tamil Selvam S held a comprehensive meeting on Friday with the Returning Officers (ROs) of Assembly Constituencies 43 Anantnag West and 44 Anantnag of the District.
Representatives from various political parties were also present.
During the meeting, discussions focused on adherence to electoral guidelines, management of campaign expenditures, implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), election preparations, and other critical issues.
The Observers also addressed various queries from contesting candidates, reaffirming their commitment to an impartial and efficient administration of the Assembly elections scheduled for September 18, 2024.
In a parallel development, General Observer for 42- Kokernag Assembly Constituency (ST) held a meeting with the Returning Officer of the constituency, Nodal Officer for MCC and contesting candidates. The discussions covered crucial issues such as MCC implementation, election preparations, and Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) at polling stations. The General Observer assured all candidates of a level playing field.
Later, the General Observer inspected the strong room and interacted with zonal and sector magistrates. He directed them to thoroughly check all polling stations and share photographs to ensure everything is in order.
The proactive involvement of electoral observers highlights the district administration’s commitment to a free, fair, and transparent election process in Anantnag.
Notably, the Assembly Elections for all seven constituencies are scheduled to be held on September 18, 2024.
Election Expenditure Observers review preparations for Assembly Elections in B’gamDistt
Budgam: The Election Expenditure Observers for Budgam District, Ravinder Kumar and Avinash Kumar Kalsion Friday chaired a meeting at Conference Hall Budgam to review preparations for the ensuing Assembly Elections in all 5-Assembly Constituencies of the District in the presence of DEO, BudgamAkshayLabroo.
During the meeting, District Election Officer (DEO) Budgam and the Senior Superintendent of Police, NikhalBorkar briefed the observers on the preparedness and overall profile of all the assembly constituencies.
Nodal officer Expenditure (DTO) Showkat Ahmad apprised the observers regarding the status of Flying Squad Teams (FSTs), Static Surveillance Teams (SSTs), Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC), Training, Model Code of Conduct (MCC) adherence, Expenditure Monitoring, and the functioning of the 24×7 Control Room.
They were also briefed regarding the measures in place by police to ensure an incident free election.
The Expenditure Observers in their addresses to the meeting stressed on ensuring a free and fair election process. They instructed the expenditure monitoring and other teams to remain vigilant regarding any illegal movement of contraband and transactions of any inducements.
They also stressed on keeping a close watch on social media and paid news, and also emphasised on sensitising political parties on expenditure related maintenance of records.
The meeting was attended by Returning Officers of all Five Assembly Constituencies, Nodal officers, Dy.Election officer, District lead bank manager, all assistant expenditure observers, SSTs & FST heads and other concerned officials.
General, Expenditure and Police Observers for Distt Kishtwar available for Public hearing
Kishtwar: General Observer for 49-Kishtwar & 50-Paddar Nagseni Assembly Constituency, DoddaVantakaSwamy, besides GO for 48-Inderwal,Assembly Constituency, A. Rahul Nadh and Expenditure Observer for District Kishtwar, Sameer Jha will be available for public hearing here at their respective Offices at Chenab Bhawan and DulHastiBhawan between 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM daily.
The Observers would listen to election related matters of the stakeholders, including general public and political representatives.
The stakeholders can meet the Observers regarding any query or complaint related to elections during the scheduled time. They can also approach the Observers on their mobile phone number 8082861305 (DoddaVankataSwamy); 9149711791 (A. Rahul Nadh); 8082091426 ( SameerJha).
Besides, the Stakeholders can contact Police Observer, Ranjit Kumar Misra on Mobile phone no 9103968348.
Expenditure Observers inspect MCMC and Control Room, review election preparedness in Rajouri
Rajouri: To ensure smooth conduct of the Assembly Elections 2024, Expenditure Observers Sanjay Kumar for the constituencies 83-Kalakote Sunderbani, 84-Nowshera, and 85-Rajouri and Sidharth Kumar for constituencies 86-Budhal and 87-Thanamandi, visited RajouriFriday.
The Observers convened a critical meeting with the members of the Expenditure Monitoring team at Dak Bungalow, Rajouri.
The Observers issued directives to maintain strict check on the trafficking of drugs, liquor and cash by elements inimical to the sanctity of election process. Sanjay Kumar emphasized the importance of daily cash deposits by wine shop dealers into their bank accounts and instructed them to avoid selling liquor on credit slips. He reiterated that the cash limit for individuals during the election period is set at ₹50,000.
The Observers also stressed the need for effective coordination among various tea They instructed the relocation of certain check posts to optimize surveillance and ordered the GST department to monitor abnormal purchases and the distribution of freebies closely.
The Police, Flying Squad Teams (FST) and Static Surveillance Teams (SST) were directed to maximize coverage of their respective areas and to activate informers to ensure a level playing field for all political parties.
The Lead District Manager (LDM) was instructed to report any transactions exceeding ₹1 lakh to the District Election Officer (DEO). The Observers also mandated that vans carrying cash must have proper documentation. Additionally, all officers and teams were directed to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to ensure the transparency and integrity of the electoral process.
After the meeting, the Expenditure Observers, accompanied by DEO Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma and SSP, Randeep Kumar inspected the Control Room and the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) to review the arrangements in place.
The meeting was attended by the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Nowshera and Rajouri, District Mineral Officer (DMO), Deputy Registrar Cooperative, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP), LDM, Excise and Taxation Officer (ETO), State Tax Officer (STO), representatives of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Income Tax Department, Assistant Expenditure Observers (AEOs), and representatives of FST and SST.
General, Police Observers inspect strong rooms, election facilities in Kishtwar District
Kishtwar: In preparation for the upcoming General Assembly Election 2024, the General Observer DoddaVenkataSwamy, (49-Kishtwar & 50-Paddar Nagseni) and A Rahul Nadh, (48-Inderwal) besides Police Observer Ranjeet Kumar Misra, for Kishtwar District conducted a thorough inspection of Strong Rooms and counting centres for AC-48 (Inderwal), AC-49 (Kishtwar), and AC-50 (NagseniPaddar) here the other day.
The observers were accompanied by District Election Officer (DEO) Rajesh Kumar Shavan, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abdul Qayoom, besides Returning Officers, Nodal Officers and election officials.
The inspection aimed to ensure that all arrangements are in place for the secure storage and management of election materials and to assess the preparedness of the district for the first phase of the Assembly elections 2024.
General Observers emphasized the importance of robust security measures and coordination among various departments to facilitate a smooth electoral process.
The DEO Kishtwar added “The preparations are on track, and we are dedicated to upholding the democratic process through vigilant oversight.”
The inspection focused on the evaluation of security protocols, logistical arrangements and infrastructure at Strong Room.
Special emphasis was placed on fortifying security measures to safeguard against potential threats.
The Police Observer was comprehensively briefed by the officers present regarding the security measures and other arrangements in place, and it was informed that the district administration had diligently implemented all necessary measures in compliance with the guidelines of the Election Commission of India.
In information to the general public of Kishtwar it was observed that the political representatives and Voters of District Kishtwar can register their grievances in the Offices of respective General Observers regarding the Election by visiting offices established at DC Office Complex from 3:30 to 4:30 PM on all days.
Also, they can contact General Observer 49-Kishtwar and 50-Paddar Nagseni, DoddaVankataSwamy, on 8082861305, General Observer 48-Inderwal A. Rahul Nadh on 9149711791 and Police Observer Ranjeet K Mishra on 9431822966.
Election Expenditure Observer visits Surankote, Mendhar Assembly Constituencies
Poonch: In a proactive move to ensure the integrity and transparency of the upcoming Assembly elections, Election Expenditure Observer, Bharat RamchandraAndhale (IRS) conducted a comprehensive review of the surveillance and security arrangements at the Returning Officer Offices and the Strong Rooms in Mendhar and Surankote assembly constituencies of Poonch district here Friday. The review is part of the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) broader strategy to enforce strict compliance with election regulations and prevent any potential malpractices.
The Observer inspected the surveillance infrastructure, focusing on the functionality and coverage of the CCTV cameras installed at both locations. These surveillance systems are crucial in monitoring all activities and ensuring there is no unauthorized access especially to the sensitive areas where election materials including Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines are safeguarded.
During the inspection, the Observer also evaluated the readiness and deployment of security personnel responsible for safeguarding these facilities. He stressed the importance of maintaining high levels of vigilance particularly during the crucial periods of ballot storage and transportation. The Observer reviewed the logbooks maintained at the premises ensuring that every entry and exit is meticulously recorded to maintain a transparent and verifiable record of all movements within these critical areas.
A significant focus of the review was on the Strong Room sealing process where the EVMs and VVPATs are in place. The Observer ensured that the sealing procedures were being conducted according to the ECI’s stringent guidelines and recommended that these seals be regularly checked to ensure the sustained integrity and transparency of the electioneering process viz-a-viz the communication systems in place were also assessed to ensure that any irregularities or breaches could be swiftly corrected.
The Observer emphasised to enhance the existing security measures, directing the Returning Officers to conduct regular audits of the surveillance systems and maintain continuous communication with security personnel to ensure any unusual activities, if reported, without delay. Furthermore, the Observer also highlighted the importance of public awareness regarding the robust security measures in place which is essential for bolstering public confidence in the electoral process.
Expenditure Observer reviews election preparations in Reasi
Reasi: The Election Expenditure Observer (EO) Dr. NidhiKheraon Friday convened a meeting in the Conference Hall Reasi with all nodal officers and enforcement officers to review preparations for the assembly elections 2024 in the District.
At the outset, the EO held interaction with the District Expenditure Monitoring Team and Nodal Officers to review the measures taken by the administration for free, transparent and peaceful conduct of elections in the district. She called for proper maintenance of expenditure records, truthful accounts, facilitation of candidates, enforcement of permissible limit expenditure and expenditure booking by the contesting candidates as per the ECI guidelines.
The Expenditure observer stressed on continuous social media monitoring viz. paid news to avoid any media related violations during the election process in all assembly constituencies. She instructed officers to work in coordination and with most integrity for free, fair and smooth conduct of elections.
ADDC Sukhdev Singh Samyal, Nodal officer MCC KulbhushanKhajuria, Nodal Officer Training Mohd Anwar Banday and other nodal officers were present in the meeting.
Election Observers convene meetings with political representatives in KishtwarKishtwar: As per procedures prescribed by ECI, a meeting with the contesting candidates and representatives of Political Parties of 3 Assembly Constituencies of District Kishtwar was convened, here on Friday.
The meeting was attended by General Observer (GO) 49- Kishtwar and 50-Paddar Nagseni, DoddaVankataSwamy, GO 48-Inderwal Assembly Constituency, A. Rahul Nadh and Police Observer Ranjeet Kumar Mishra.
Also in attendance were DEO Kishtwar, Rajesh Kumar Shavan, RO 49- Kishtwar AC/ADC, PawanKotwal, Deputy DEO cum RO, Idrees Lone, RO/SDM Amit Kumar, along with Election Nodal Officers.
During the meeting, the respective RO and Nodal Officer Training presented an extensive overview of the district’s preparedness for the upcoming elections. They gave a brief on measures for enforcement of Model Code of Conduct, details of Polling Stations, Strong Room arrangements, provision of Electronic Voting Machines – AC wise, Poll Personnel and their capacity building, provision of Postal Ballot and Home Voting, regular manpower training, Election expenditure management and monitoring.
Observers laid down the legal provisions against violations of MCC and urged for strict compliance by soliciting every candidate’s cooperation and support.
The Political representatives were also informed about the various IT interventions made by the ECI this time viz. Webcasting of Polling Stations, SAKSHAM App, C-Vigil App, Know Your Candidate (KYC) App.
They were also informed that any complaint may also be reported through the 24X7 District Helpline numbers. Observers assured that all legitimate complaints would be verified and handled as per the ECI guidelines.
Concerned Officers also elaborated on the District’s Law and Order arrangements designed to ensure a peaceful and incident- free elections further assuring that the security measures have been rationalized as per the ECI nor
The Observers urged to ensure and facilitate one of the democratic events in the district and urged for equal support from the political parties for successful elections. He also advised them to provide basic and related information to their respective polling and counting agents for seamless activities during the polls. He assured that all necessary assistance will be provided when contacted by the electoral officials.
The Political Parties were informed that the stakeholder including the political representatives and voters can meet observers in their Camp Offices at ChinabBhavan and DulHastiBhavan from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM daily.
For information of all, the Election 24X7 District Helpline Numbers are; 01995-259252, 01995-295252, Toll Free number 1950; General Observer: 8082861305/ 9149711791, Expenditure Observer: 8082091426, Police Observer: 9103968348.
Observers meet with Political Representatives in Ramban
Ramban: The General Observer for Assembly Constituencies AC-54 Ramban and AC-55 Banihal, Himanshu Kumar Rai, along with Police Observer KunalAggarwal and Expenditure Observer Sulekh Chand Jain, on Friday held an interactive session with representatives and candidates from various political parties.
The discussion focused on preparations made for the upcoming General Legislative Assembly Elections.
The Observers emphasized the importance of strict adherence to the election rules, laws, and the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI). They assured all candidates that a level playing field would be maintained throughout the election process, urging them to comply with all ECI protocols to ensure a smooth election.
General Observer Himanshu Kumar Rai specifically advised political parties to secure the necessary permissions for their rallies and other campaign activities. He highlighted that enforcement teams, including Flying Squad Teams (FST), Video Surveillance Teams (VST), and Static Surveillance Teams (SST), are actively monitoring the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct as mandated by the ECI.
Expenditure Observer Sulekh Chand Jain informed the representatives about the election expenditure limits set by the ECI for each candidate. He stressed the importance of maintaining accurate expenditure records, which will be audited by the accounting teams under his supervision in accordance with the rules.
Police Observer KunalAggarwal addressed concerns related to security arrangements, assuring that all necessary measures are in place to maintain law and order during the elections. The Observers also shared their contact information for resolving any queries or reporting violations.
The Observers encouraged the public to actively participate in this “Festival of Democracy” by exercising their right to vote in the upcoming assembly elections.
Earlier, Deputy District Election Officer Abdul Jabar briefed the Observers about the specific details of both assembly constituencies. Various queries and concerns raised by the political representatives were promptly addressed by the Observers during the meeting.
