Postal ballot arrangements for COVID patients
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Oct 3: A total of 164 candidates have filed their nomination papers for 26 seats of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh elections, for which the last date of filing of papers ended at 3 pm today.
Out of 164 candidates, BJP and Congress had filed nomination papers of 43 candidates each and the two parties are contesting all the 26 seats going to polls on October 22 while Aam Admi Party (AAP) which is contesting elections on 18 seats has filed the nomination papers of 27 candidates. There are also 44 independent candidates in the fray.
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The last date for scrutiny of papers is on October 5 while the date for withdrawal of nomination papers is October 7.
The elections will be held on October 22 and counting on October 26. On the last date of filing nomination, 61 candidates filed their papers while 103 had filed papers till yesterday.
As per the official figures, among the 26 LAHDC seats, 16 nomination papers have been received for Chuchot constituency which is followed by 11 nominations for Turtuk and 10 for Saspol constituency. The lowest number of three forms each have been received for the constituencies of Panamik, Sakti and Khaltsi.
Announcing that all arrangements for elections are in place, District Development Commissioner, Leh, Sachin Kumar Viashya who is also Election Officer, said that Modal Code of Conduct (MCC) has been in force in the Leh and candidates and political parties found violating it will be dealt under law seriously. The enforcement agencies have been given strict instructions to act against those parties and candidates found violating Model Code of Conduct. The videography and photos will be taken of entire election process, he added.
A candidate will be allowed to spend Rs 1.04 lakh for electioneering and as per the directions of Election Commission he has to keep the book of expenditures and follow the rules and guidelines in this regard strictly.
Maintaining that this is the first elections to be held during COVID Pandemic, the DC said that it is a challenge for the administration especially those officials involved in election process. Bihar Assembly polls which will also be held during the Pandemic will follow the LAHDC elections, he added.
He said in view of COVID pandemic the authorities have made postal ballot arrangements for those who are above the age of 65 years, COVID patients and differently abled persons. Besides, the service personnel will also cast their vote through postal ballot, he added.
He said about 3500 postal ballots have been arranged and out of them 350 are service personnel. The secrecy of postal ballot will be maintained. If secrecy is not maintained the basic purpose of election gets defeated, the Electoral Officer said.
In view of Pandemic, he said all arrangements of sanitization and maintaining social distancing at polling booths will be made. He added that the sanitizers will be kept at polling booths and wearing of masks will be mandatory for voters, polling staff as well as agents of candidates. Besides, circles will be made to follow the social distancing in letter and spirit and all the SOPs will be followed strictly.
He said EVMs have reached Leh and all arrangements for postal ballot have been made.
Meanwhile, BJP general secretary organization, Ashok Kaul who is presently camping in Leh for last one week to finalize the list of candidates and to oversee the electioneering process while addressing a gathering after filing of nomination papers by two party candidates, Tashi Gyalson from Lingshed constituency and Lobzang Sherab from Khaltsi Constituency said BJP is whole heartedly committed to the development of Ladakh region in accordance to the wishes of the local people.
He said the Narendra Modi Government at the Centre has taken extensive measures for the promotion of education, tourism, entrepreneurship and other avenues of growth. He termed the opening of Atal tunnel as a milestone towards development and said this is the clear proof of BJP’s intensions to develop the region with unprecedented pace.
The BJP also got a shot in the arm after the three time councilor and two time Executive Councilor, Ghulam Abass Abidi joined BJP at Leh today.
He joined the party in presence of party Ladakh UT president and MP, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, BJP general secretary (org) Ashok Kaul and other leaders.
Announcing his decision, he said that he found for the last five to six years he has not been able to work for the development of his people as the Congress of which he was the member was out of power.
He said during last 20 years as a Congress activist, councilor and Executive Councilor he worked hard for Leh in general and his constituency Chushul in particular.
He complimented PM Narendra Modi for fulfilling a long pending demand of granting UT status to Ladakh region and the decision to join BJP was taken by him in consultation with his workers.
On the last day of filling of nomination papers, Congress also fielded 26 more candidates in all 26 constituencies of LAHDC, Leh today. Earlier party had fielded 21 candidates.
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