Election Readiness reviewed in Samba

DEO takes feedback from Election Officers, Magistrates

SAMBA, AUGUST 24: District Election Officer (DEO) Samba, Rajesh Sharma chaired a comprehensive review meeting today with Returning Officers (ROs), Assistant Returning Officers (AROs), Zonal Magistrates, and Sectoral Magistrates to strategize and discuss preparations for the upcoming General Elections to the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly 2024.

The meeting emphasized ensuring a seamless, fair, and transparent electoral process. DEO Rajesh Sharma outlined the critical pre-poll responsibilities assigned to sectoral officers, which encompass a broad range of tasks. These tasks include mapping polling stations to assess infrastructure adequacy, enforcing the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) strictly, monitoring to prevent unauthorized campaigning, conducting accurate voter enumeration, identifying vulnerable populations, and implementing confidence-building measures.

DEO Sharma also stressed the pivotal role of nodal officers, who are responsible for coordinating closely with law enforcement agencies. As the elections approach, focus will shift to poll eve responsibilities, such as deploying polling teams and ensuring the timely delivery of all necessary materials to designated polling stations.

Nodal officers were instructed to verify the deployment of security forces as per the established plan and report to the control room promptly to confirm that all arrangements are in place. On polling day, nodal officers will be responsible for ensuring a smooth voting process by conducting frequent inspections of polling stations, overseeing the presence and performance of security forces, supervising polling agents’ activities, and addressing any issues or complaints swiftly. Additionally, they will oversee the proper handling and sealing of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) once polling concludes.

In his remarks, DEO Rajesh Sharma reiterated the importance of executing these duties with utmost dedication and diligence to uphold the electoral process’s integrity and safeguard the democratic rights of all citizens. He emphasized the crucial role each officer plays in creating an environment conducive to free and fair elections. As the assembly elections near, the administration remains committed to conducting the electoral process in a transparent, efficient, and impartial manner.

The meeting was attended by ADC Samba, Jagdish Singh, ASP Mukund Tibrewal, and all ROs, AROs, Zonal Magistrates, Sectoral Magistrates, and other officials.