Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 29: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K, Umang Narula, today reviewed the pre-poll arrangements with the District Election Officers (DEOs) and SSPs of five districts, viz; Kupwara, Kulgam, Reasi, Udhampur and Poonch which will go to polls in the second phase of Assembly elections on December 2.
While taking detailed review of the arrangements with the concerned officers through video conferencing, the CEO called for fool-proof security arrangements to ensure free and fair elections. He stressed the need for close coordination between various agencies associated with the election process for achieving the desired results. He directed the concerned for timely despatch of polling staff, material to the polling stations and distribution of photo identity voter slips amongst the voters.
Mr. Narula also called upon the DEOs and SSPs for devising a well-knit strategy to deal with any kind of untoward incidents and security of people and EVMs. He directed for keeping a close watch on the activities of unscrupulous elements and trouble mongers and thwart any attempt to sabotage the election process. He directed for special security arrangements and video/photo coverage of the critical and sensitive polling stations coupled with deployment of adequate number of Micro Observers to ensure strict vigil .
Expressing satisfaction on the arrangements, Mr. Narula asked the concerned to give final touch to the steps taken and plug the gaps, if any.
It was informed in the video conference that in District Reasi, 45, in Poonch 14, in Udhampur 11, in Kupwara 22 and in Kulgam 20 Polling Stations have been identified as Model Polling Stations which would be equipped with all the basic facilities. Besides, all critical, sensitive and hyper-sensitive Polling Stations will be monitored through webcasting in the concerned districts to ensure free and fair polls.
ADGP (Armed), S.M. Sahai, Dy. CEOs, Rakesh Srangal and Rashpal Singh, Consultant Elections, Harcharan Singh were also present in the video conference.