HP Chief Electoral officer C. Paulrasu presided over a review meeting at Keylong in District Lahaul-Spiti and took stock of preparations in view to bye- election of Mandi Parliamentary Constituency with District Election Officer (Deputy Commissioner), Assistant Returning Officer, Sector Officers and Nodal officers.
Chief Electoral Officer directed DEO to ensure that various guidelines issued by Election Commission of India regarding election are strictly adhered. He also gave various directions to the officers for successful conduction of the election. He gave necessary direction to ensure Assured Minimum Facilities at all 92 polling stations of Lahaul-Spiti assembly constituency. He also asked the officers to ensure availability of toilets, drinking water, sanitation, electricity and necessary facilities being provided to specially-abled persons.
He said that for the ensuing bye-election, Election Commission of India is also providing ballot paper facility for specially-abled, senior citizens above the age of 80 years and Covid positive voters. He said that to ensure cent-percent voting, awareness should be made at polling station level and village level by Booth Level Officers and other mediums. He stress on organising various activities for spreading awareness under SVEEP activities prior to voting. He said that training is of utmost importance for errorless voting process. Therefore it is important to impart training to all officers and official involved in election process.
C.Paulrasu gave directions in regard to independent and unbiased election process and also gave directions in regards to voting and counting process. He asked the sector officers to ensure that the Standard Operating Procedures regarding Covid-19 are adhered to and to ensure availability of sanitizer and mask at polling stations. He also asked to ensure social distancing and use of mask by the voters during bye-election.
During his visit to Lahaul, he also inspected polling stations, counting stations and strong room and also took stock of security system and gave directions in regard to Law and Order.
DEO cum Deputy Commissioner Neeraj Kumar said that in Lahaul-Spiti Assembly Constituency, Jispa and Quling have been established as women voting centres and Jahalma, Rangrik and Tashigang as model voting centres. He said that 26 voting centers have been identified for webcasting and 17 voting centers which lack of communication facilities have been identified as shadow areas.
Earlier HP CEO also presided over a review meeting regarding preparations of bye-elections with officers of District Kullu, last evening. He also inspected strong room and counting hall and gave necessary direction in this regard.
