Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 10: For the first time in the history of elections in India, the Election Commission authorities introduced a unique feature to closely monitor the conduct of polling at various polling stations in Jammu, Samba, Rajouri and Poonch districts today by using ‘live webcast’ technology, while sitting in Delhi, Jammu and other districts and sub-division level control rooms, where polling was held today for Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat.
For the Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha seat, the election was held today and a total 2271 polling stations were created for the 17.63 lakh voters. Many polling stations were identified as sensitive and hyper-sensitive especially in Poonch and Rajouri. The same will be situation in Udhampur-Doda constituency where elections will be held on 17th of this month. The election authorities are trying to keep ‘live vigil’ on many such polling stations through web-cameras.
Chief Electoral Officer J&K Umang Narula said in order to keep a strict vigil and monitor live polling under camera in various polling stations and prevent the booth capturing incidents and ensure free and fair polling, the web cameras had been installed at 60 polling stations in Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha constituency today. Besides this, 81 digital cameras and 33 video cameras had also been used for the purpose.
While Election authorities had access to all these polling stations whereas, in some stations the public and candidates could also watch the live conduct of polling through webcast system. It was the first ever experiment conducted in the elections by the Election Commission and in future it has been planned to cover all the polling booths/ stations under webcast system introduced for the purpose, he added.
The Election authorities have engaged Comtech Info Solutions Pvt Ltd e-governance IT company, which provided the infrastructure and support for the purpose. It is the same IT company which has been engaged for generating Adhar (Smart) Cards in the State.
For the second phase of elections in the Sate in Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha constituency, a total 68 polling Stations have been identified where ‘webcast’ voting system will be installed. The Election authorities would monitor live-polling through web cameras at these stations. Not only the Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers or other Election staff members can see ‘live polling’ but the other people including candidates could also watch the conduct of polling at these stations through internet.
In Samba and Vijaypur segments of Jammu-Poonch Parliamentary constituency, seven such polling stations were connected through web-cameras. They included 10-Kaluchak, 55- Mandi Kehli-A, 58-Chak Manga Rakwal of Samba segment, 3-Bari Brahamana –A, 36-Tarore B, 61- Vjaypur A and 41- Raya A of Vijaypur segment. Four polling stations of 70-Nagrota Assembly segment connected through webcam were 46 -Bain Bajalta A and B, 50- Sidhra A and 58- Dansal.
Five polling stations of 71-Gandhinagar Assembly segment are identified as 71-Gandhinagar L, 75 Gandhinagar P, 77- Gandhinagar R, 96 -Nanak Nagar S and 112-Chhani Himmat C. Four polling stations of 72-Jammu East segment included 11-Pacci Dakki-C, 35-Parade Ground, 68 Jog Gate D, and 70 Jogi Gate F. A total 11 polling Stations in 73-Jammu West Assembly segment had been connected through webcam and these included 69-Shaktinagar C, 72-Talab Tillo B, 75-Talab Tillo D, 110 Rehari Colony J, 111-Rehari Colony K, 113- Rehari Colony M, 144- Mohalla Naranian A, 151 Dogra Hall, 153- Dogra Hall, 160- Krishna Nagar and 164-Krishna Nagar.
Similarly, in 74-Bishnah Assembly segment, a total five polling stations were under direct vigil of the Elections authorities constantly and they included 18- Bishnah, 21-Bishnah, 85-Allah, 86- Allah and 88- Allah. In R S Pura only two stations, 41-Gagan and 42- Gagan were covered.
No polling station was covered in Suchetgarh, Raipur Domana, Akhnoor and Chhamb segments of Jammu-Poonch Lok Sabha constituency. A total 34 polling stations were covered under web cameras in Jammu district. In Rajouri district a total 10 polling stations were under close vigil of Election authorities and they were- Nowshera A, Lamberi B, 76-Sunderbani, 8-Chowkian, 85-Kalyan, 104- Rajouri-A, 109- Rajouri-D, 51- Manjakote, 50-Sair and 26- Thanna Mandi B.
In Poonch-Haveli, Mendhar and Surankote Assembly segments a total nine (9) polling stations were under the direct monitoring of the Election authorities and they include 14-Samote A, 15 Samote B, 17 Samote D, 19-Surankote A and 21- Surankote C of Surankote segment, 66- Gohlad A and 70- Gohlad D of Mendhar while 122- Poonch G and 129-Poonch N of 87-Poonch Haveli Assembly segment of Jammu -Poonch Lok Sabha constituency.
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