Jalandhar West by-election: Punjab CEO holds meeting with government officials on preparations

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], July 5 (ANI): Punjab Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C held a meeting with Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner, Police Commissioner and SSP on Friday regarding the by-election of Jalandhar West Assembly Constituency.

According to a statement from the Information and Public Relations Department of the state, during the meeting through video conferencing, Sibin C directed the officials to complete the necessary arrangements for voting so that the elections could be conducted in a free, fair and peaceful manner. The CEO asked the DC to arrange water coolers, fans, adequate seating, toilets and sheds at the polling stations for the convenience of voters.

CEO asked the officials to ensure separate queues for the elderly and pregnant women and availability of ramps and wheelchairs at each polling station for Persons with Disabilities (PwD) voters. He further said that in case of longer queues for voting, chairs should be arranged and medical kits should also be provided to the polling staff. Apart from this, he has ordered 100 percent live webcasting of polling stations for real-time monitoring.

CEO directed the Commissioner of Police and the SSP to increase and tighten checkpoints and maintain round-the-clock vigilance through CCTV, vigilance 48 hours prior to the polls, to check illegal smuggling of drugs, liquor, cash and freebies. He asked the officials to strengthen security arrangements at sensitive polling booths, strong rooms and counting centres.

Sibin C directed the officials to completely ban the entry of outsiders into the constituency 48 hours prior to the polls and to resolve MCC violation complaints in time.

CEO said that a total of 11 model polling booths will be set up on the day of voting for the by-election of Jalandhar West Assembly Constituency. Apart from this, a Pink polling booth will be set up at Mintgumri Guru Nanak Public School, Adarsh Nagar, which will be fully manned by women. Apart from this, Green polling booth, Youth polling station operated by youth and PWD polling booth for specially-abled persons will also be set up.

CEO said that the total number of voters in Jalandhar West Assembly Constituency is 1 lakh 72 thousand 20, of which the number of female voters is 82 thousand 327 and the number of male voters is 89 thousand 685.

Apart from this, the total number of PwD voters is 873, out of which 389 are specially-abled women voters and 484 are specially-abled male voters. He further informed that the number of 18-19-year-old youth voters in the constituency is 5005, of which 2282 are females and 2723 are males. Also, the number of voters above 85 years of age is 746, of which 382 are female voters and 364 are male voters. He further informed that the total number of polling stations in the constituency is 181.

It is to be noted that the voting for the Jalandhar West Assembly Constituency by-election will be held on July 10, 2024 (Wednesday) from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm and the result will be declared on July 13, 2024 (Saturday) after the counting of votes.