Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 20: Deputy Election Commissioner of India (DyEC), Sandeep Saxena today took a detailed review of arrangements put in place for the conduct of Anantnag by-poll with Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Shantmanu through video conferencing.
The Observers appointed by the Commission namely, G. L. Meena, Nitya Sundar Trivedi, Jai Narayan Singh, Kumar Pranav, DIG South Kashmir, Nitish Kumar, District Election Officer, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, SSP, Anantnag, Abdul Jabbar, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Rishpal Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioners Mohammad Younis and Ghulam Hassan Sheikh, besides Returning Officer attended the video conference.
During the video interaction, the Dy Election Commissioner obtained detailed feedback from the concerned for smooth conduct of by-election of Anantnag Assembly segment. The issues which came up for discussion included status of EVMs, training and deployment of polling staff and counting staff, location of polling stations and availability of desired facilities, especially at Model polling stations, distribution of Elector’s Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) among voters, deployment of Micro Observers and Sectoral Magistrates, installation of Webcams at identified polling stations and security arrangements.
Saxena issued instructions to the State Election Authorities for making adequate arrangements and availability of basic amenities at polling stations for the convenience of voters. He also expressed satisfaction over the arrangements put in place by the State Election Authorities for smooth conduct of by-poll and hoped for peaceful conclusion of by-election.
The CEO gave a detailed account of the arrangements put in place for the smooth conduct of ensuing Anantnag by-poll and informed that necessary guidelines and directions issued by the Commission from time to time have been strictly followed and arrangements have been almost finalized in all respects . He informed that strict vigil is being maintained on the daily activities within the jurisdiction of the Assembly segment. The officers associated with the election process have been advised to maintain close coordination to thwart any untoward and undesired situation, he said.
Shantmanu further informed that adequate number of EVMs have been made available for 102 polling stations setup at 61 designated locations to facilitate 84124 registered voters across the constituency. Of them, 4234 are migrants and 57 service voters. He said that 20 polling stations have been designated as model polling stations with necessary facilities, besides webcasting and videography will be done at 20 and 5 identified polling stations respectively. As many as 77 micro observers have been deployed, he added.
Referring to postal ballots, the CEO informed that as many as 104 postal ballots have been dispatched to migrants, service voters and detainees and under trials at different places.
The CEO informed that necessary arrangements have been made with regard to provision of basic amenities at polling stations so that voters do not face any inconvenience. He further informed that there shall be separate queue for the women and elderly voters, adding that special arrangements have also been made for facilitating the infirm voters. He said that over 90 per cent EPICs have been distributed so far.
Shantmanu said that in order to sensitize voters particularly young and first time voters a series of awareness programme under Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) were organized in Educational institutions, designating students as ambassadors for the purpose,. He informed that Village Education Committee members were also mobilized to sensitize people about the importance of votes and to encourage them to use right to franchise to elect the candidate of choice.
Giving details with regard to security arrangements, it was informed that adequate arrangements have also been made at polling booths, enroute and at strong rooms.
To meet out any eventuality, 7 medicos and 13 para-medicos with necessary medicines and apparatus have been kept available to meet any eventuality, he added.
Meanwhile, campaigning ended today for the by-poll to the prestigious Anantnag Assembly segment in Kashmir where Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is in the fray.
The constituency will go to poll on June 22 and the counting of the votes will take place on June 25.
Officials said the campaign was a low key affair as only four rallies and an equal number of public meetings were organized by different political parties and candidates.
Two road-shows were also organized by the political parties, the officials said.
While the ruling PDP organized two rallies and a public meeting addressed by Mehbooba, opposition National Conference (NC) held two public meetings which were addressed by former Chief Minister and party’s working president Omar Abdullah, the officials said.
They said Congress organized a public meeting, rally and road-show in which its star campaigners – actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar and cricketer-turned-politician Mohammad Azharuddin participated.
The officials said the campaigning in the constituency remained peaceful.
The by-poll to the seat was necessitated due to the death of Mehbooba’s father and then Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7 this year.
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