Final randomization of polling parties for Home Voting held in Poonch

POONCH, SEPTEMBER 16: The General Election Observer, Solai Bharathi Dasan and District Election Officer (DEO), Vikas Kundal conducted the final randomization of polling staff for home voting for the upcoming Assembly elections in Poonch district today. The home voting shall be conducted from September 18 to September 20, 2024.

The process of randomisation of polling parties ensures impartiality and transparency in assigning staff for home voting, specifically for voters aged 85+ and persons with disabilities in all the three Assembly Constituencies across the Poonch district.

A total of 426 staff members, including polling personnel, micro-observers, and reserves, have been randomized to cover home voting across 176 clusters in the three Assembly Constituencies of Surankote, Haveli, and Mendhar in Poonch district.

In preparation for this exercise, 625 voters aged 85+ and persons with disabilities in Surankote, 717 in Haveli, and 764 in Mendhar have been identified for home voting.

The General Election Observer emphasized the importance of this process in maintaining the integrity and inclusivity of the elections. He stressed that the transparent assignment of polling staff is a critical step in ensuring credible and impartial elections.

The DEO highlighted the focus on achieving 100% voter participation from home voters, stating, “We are committed to full inclusivity in the election process, ensuring that every eligible home voter can exercise their right to vote.”

The randomization, conducted using advanced software to eliminate bias, was overseen by senior officials, including ADC Tahir Mustafa Malik, Deputy DEO Saleem Ahmed, ACD Shafiq Ahmed Mir (nodal officer for home voting), and Joint Director/District Informatics Officer Parvinder Singh.