As preparations intensify for the upcoming Parliamentary election, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir, P K Pole, embarked on an extensive tour across the region to assess the election arrangements in every district. Following visits to several districts in Kashmir, Pole chaired a pivotal meeting today in Ramban to evaluate the preparedness for the Lok Sabha Election 2024 in the district.
The meeting, attended by District Election Officer Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary, Additional District Development Commissioner Roshan Lal, Additional Deputy Commissioner Varunjeet Singh Charak, Additional SP Gaurav Mahajan, and other key officials, delved into a comprehensive review of the District Election Management Plan for Ramban. Discussions encompassed various crucial aspects including Electoral Roll Processes, logistical requirements, manpower management, risk assessment, EVM transportation, polling staff deployment, and security arrangements.
Expressing satisfaction over the district administration’s readiness, CEO P K Pole underscored the importance of meticulous planning, particularly given Ramban’s strategic significance as a vital link to the Kashmir province. He reiterated the commitment to ensure a free, fair, and transparent electoral process while anticipating a high voter turnout in the district. Pole emphasized the imperative of thorough training for electoral personnel, both officials and non-officials, and enhancing voter awareness, especially among first-time voters regarding EVM and VVPAT machines.
Key issues addressed during the meeting included allocation of adequate human resources, implementation of the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) plans at the booth level, formulation of a comprehensive material management plan, secure route mapping, and extensive training programs for Assistant Returning Officers (AROs). In a bid to bolster public participation, AROs were tasked with executing awareness campaigns at the booth level, engaging Block Level Officers (BLOs), sports personalities, government employees, youth icons, influencers, and organizing various outreach activities in line with the district’s SVEEP plan.
Recognizing the significance of Adequate Minimum Facilities (AMF), the CEO directed the district administration to ensure provisions such as clean washrooms, drinking water, first aid facilities, and uninterrupted electricity for polling staff and security personnel on Election Day. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the collective commitment towards ensuring a smooth, transparent, and participatory electoral process in the upcoming Lok Sabha Election 2024.
Prior to the meeting, the District Election Officer delivered a detailed PowerPoint Presentation, updating CEO P K Pole on the election preparedness and the execution of directives issued by the Election Department.