Election Observers review election preparations in Rajouri

Rajouri: To ensure smooth and transparent conduct of the upcoming Assembly Elections 2024 in Rajouri district, a high-level review meeting was jointly chaired Tuesday by the General Observer for Nowshera & Kalakote-Sunderbani, Mani Ram Sharma; General Observer for Thanamandi, Tikam Chand Bohra; General Observer for Rajouri & Budhal, Anurag Jayanti; Police Observer, Dr. Vishnu Kant; and Expenditure Observer for Budhal and Thanamandi, Sidharth Kumar.
The meeting focused on evaluating and fine-tuning the district’s election preparedness, with a strong emphasis on compliance with the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and ensuring that all logistical and infrastructural arrangements are in place for the smooth conduct of the polls.
At the outset, the District Election Officer (DEO) Abhishek Sharma, presented a comprehensive overview of the preparations underway across the district. The DEO highlighted the various initiatives being taken to facilitate PWD (Persons with Disabilities) voters, elderly voters, and service voters. He outlined the steps being taken to ensure the timely distribution of Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) through the postal department and explained the efforts to decentralize training centers for polling staff to make the process more accessible.
In addition, the DEO discussed the arrangements for the District Control Room (DCRC), intermediate strong rooms, and counting centers. He emphasized that special attention has been given to EVM (Electronic Voting Machine) awareness campaigns, aimed at educating the public and ensuring that they are familiar with the voting process.
The Observers lauded the efforts of the district administration but stressed the need to ensure that no violations of the MCC occur during the election period.
The Observers instructed officials to intensify efforts on vulnerability mapping to identify sensitive areas and ensure appropriate security measures are in place to prevent any disturbances during the polls.
Special attention was directed towards preparing detailed route charts for home voting, particularly for the elderly and PWD voters, ensuring their convenience and safety during the election process.
In areas with difficult terrain, particularly those requiring access via forest routes, the Observers stressed the need for meticulous planning to ensure polling materials and personnel can reach polling stations without any obstacles.
Directions were issued to improve access to polling stations and ensure that Static Surveillance Team (SST) Nakas are established at key locations. The Observers emphasized the need for increased vigilance and seizure efforts to curb any illegal activities, including the transportation of unauthorized materials.
The Observers highlighted the importance of improving approach roads to polling stations and ensuring that any ongoing construction work is completed before the elections. They further insisted that all polling stations be equipped with essential facilities, such as water, electricity, ramps, and toilets.
Written notices are to be issued promptly to all candidates regarding the allotment of election symbols. Additionally, the Observers directed officials to ensure that mock polls are conducted efficiently, as per the Election Commission’s guidelines, to instill confidence in the voting system.
The meeting was attended by Nodal Officers responsible for various key election functions, including MCC enforcement, law and order, manpower management, training, media, welfare, complaints, Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF), transport, expenditure management, special area management, material management, ballot paper handling, model polling stations, IT systems, and permissions
The meeting concluded with the Observers reiterating the importance of strict compliance with all election-related guidelines and deadlines. They emphasized the need for close coordination between the district administration, Nodal Officers, and security agencies to ensure that the elections are conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner.