SRINAGAR: The General, Police and Expenditure Observers appointed by the Election Commission of India(ECI) for Srinagar District Thursday chaired a joint meeting at the Meeting Hall of the DC Office Complex, here to review the overall preparedness of the District in connection with the conduct of free, fair, transparent and smooth General Elections to Legislative Assembly, 2024.
District Election Officer (DEO) Srinagar, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat was present on the occasion.
While Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Imtiyaz Hussain; Additional District Development Commissioner, Gh. Hassan Sheikh; Returning Officers of all Assembly Constituencies, Deputy District Election Officers and Nodal Officers monitoring/ overseeing election-related activities also attended the meeting.
At the outset, the Observers sought firsthand the status of on-going preparations related to the elections from the District Election Officer.
The DEO through a PowerPoint presentation gave a detailed profile of the District and Assembly Constituency-wise brief including electorate count, number of polling stations and polling locations, model polling stations, home voting facilities, SVEEP activities, Assured Minimum Facilities at the polling station, election training for polling staff, safety and security of polling booths, polling staff, poll machinery and other units besides District Receipt and Distribution Centres, Strong rooms and Counting Centre.
The DEO assured the Observers of the Administration’s full preparedness to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections
While reviewing the SVEEP activities, Dr Bilal briefed the Observers about the attractive Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programmes conducted in the previous elections that resulted in improved voter turnout in the district, adding that on the same pattern, this time also micro-level planning has been done and similarly big SVEEP activity has already been started in colleges to better voter turnout in assembly elections.
Regarding AMF in polling stations, the DEO informed the Observers that almost 90 percent coverage has already been achieved however efforts are on to achieve the target on time.
In order to boost voter turnout and ensure that every voter can exercise their franchise with ease, he apprised that specialized polling stations have been established which include Pink polling station, PwD Polling station, Youth manned polling station, Unique polling station and Green Polling station.
Besides, he added that for aspiring voters among senior citizens and specially-abled, home voting facility is also available to ensure smooth participation of such voters without any inconvenience.
The DEO also presented the details of human resources involved in the smooth conduct of elections and their training, reserves; Electronic Voting Machines, reserves and their transportation to sub places.
He also informed about the total number of nominations received from aspiring candidates after the culmination of the process today.
Dr Bilal also briefed the Observers about the randomization of EVMs, VVPATs, and polling personnel.
The Observers passed strict directions to the officers to follow and implement the Model Code of Conduct and keep vigil on violations, if any, in the district.
The meeting concluded with directives from the Observers to all Officers to ensure meticulous planning and execution to facilitate the smooth conduct of the elections.
