Chief Electoral Officer of J&K visits Doda to review election preparations

Pandurang K Pole, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir, conducted a comprehensive visit to Doda district today to oversee the meticulous preparations for the impending Lok Sabha Elections.

The visit entailed a series of crucial activities aimed at ensuring the smooth conduct of the electoral process. CEO Pole meticulously inspected polling centers, model polling stations, and intermediate strong rooms, emphasizing the paramount importance of transparency in adherence to Election Commission guidelines. His scrutiny of the strong rooms at the district headquarters reaffirmed the commitment to upholding electoral integrity.

A pivotal meeting was convened at the conference hall of the DC office complex, bringing together all pertinent stakeholders. District Election Officer, Doda, Harvinder Singh, delivered a comprehensive overview of the district’s preparations, highlighting the existence of 529 polling centers and 9 model polling stations.

Addressing the gathering, CEO Pole underscored the imperative of strict compliance with guidelines, emphasizing adherence to timelines for the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and vigilant media monitoring. He urged stakeholders to proactively engage in voter outreach initiatives, leveraging door-to-door campaigns under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program.

Furthermore, CEO Pole directed the establishment of booth-level committees and stressed the importance of expenditure monitoring meetings to uphold the sanctity of the electoral process.

In a bid to leverage technology for seamless operations, the Chief Election Officer mandated the adoption of the Election Seizure Management System (ESMS) for real-time updates, ensuring enhanced efficiency and transparency.

During the interaction, CEO Pole encouraged stakeholders to seek clarification on electoral procedures by engaging with the State Level Master Trainers (SLMTs) and District Level Master Trainers (DLMTs), fostering a culture of informed participation.

As part of the ongoing Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) campaign, a rangoli competition was organized at Govt Boys Higher Secondary School Doda to bolster awareness about voting rights. CEO Pole’s presence at the event underscored the unwavering commitment of electoral authorities to promoting democratic values and fostering greater civic engagement.

Subsequently, CEO Pole visited the tehsil office complex to assess the preparedness for the Lok Sabha elections, ensuring that all logistical arrangements were in place to facilitate a smooth voting process. Accompanied by District Election Officer, Doda Harvinder Singh, SSP Doda Javaid Iqbal, and other officials, CEO Pole’s visit epitomized the collective resolve to uphold the integrity of the electoral process and ensure robust democratic participation in Doda district.