102 PCs in 21 States/UTs and 92 Assembly seats in Arunachal & Sikkim set for polls on 19 April
ECI directs over 350 observers to ensure smooth, free and fair
polling on 19th April, 2024
Directs for all amenities at polling stations especially to combat heat
102 Parliamentary
Constituencies in 21 states are scheduled for polling on 19 April, 2024 in
which 127 General Observers, 67 Police Observers and 167 Expenditure Observers
have been deployed. All have reported in constituencies before the last date of
nomination i.e. 26 March, 2024. Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner
accompanied with Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioner and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu,
Election Commissioner asked all the observers to strictly ensure that polling
stations contain all amenities for voters especially to combat heat, no
inducements are offered close to voting of first phase, forces are optimally
utilised and law and order is kept under strict watch.
Central Observers were
inter alia directed to ensure:
I. The preparedness for polling in all the
constituencies well in advance and ensure the level playing field for all the
stakeholders i.e. candidates and political parties
II. To remain physically available within the
Parliamentary Constituency they are allotted during the entire election process.
III. Wide publication of mobile/landline/email/place
of stay and circulation amongst candidate and political parties so that they
are available on the designated numbers/addresses on daily basis to general
public/candidate and political parties,
IV. Randomization of deployment of forces in their
presence
V. That Central Forces/State Police Forces are
being utilized judiciously and maintaining neutrality and their deployment is
not favouring any political party/candidate
VI.
Randomization of EVMs/VVPATs and polling
personnel in their presence
VII. Smooth process of home voting for 85+ and PwDs
and Postal Ballot for persons on election duty, essential duties and Service
Voters
VIII. That the Electoral Rolls are supplied to the
political parties and contesting candidates
IX. The Vulnerability Mapping has been fairly done
by the district administration and transportation and communication plan
prepared accordingly
X.
Deployment of Micro Observers
XI.
Commissioning of EVM/VVPAT before all candidates
/ their representatives
XII. Oversee robust security arrangements at the EVM
Strong Rooms and ensure presence of authorised agents of all candidates
XIII. All complaint redressal mechanisms are in place
XIV. That integrated Control Rooms have been set up
in districts under overall charge of an officer authorised to take timely
corrective action
XV.
100% distribution of voter information slips has
been done in advance before the polling day
XVI. All the IT applications such as C-vigil, Voter
Helpline App, Saksham App, ENCORE, Suvidha App etc, are being used by the
election staff and they are properly trained to use these apps
XVII. The training of all the polling personnel
including the counting staff, Micro Observers etc. are been/have been organized
in orderly manner
XVIII. Visiting the polling stations in the
constituency and ensure that Assured Minimum Facilities are in place at all the
polling stations
XIX. Setting up of Voter Assistance Booth at all the
polling stations for convenience of voters, special facilitation for
differently abled, physically challenged, women, elderly and leprosy affected
voters etc
XX. Facilities of drinking water, sheds/shamyanas
for voters waiting in queue and proper sitting arrangements outside the polling
stations during polling
XXI. That Flying Squads, Statistics Surveillance
Teams, Video Viewing Teams, Border Check Posts, Nakas etc. are doing their work
round the clock and the efforts are being made so that there is no movement and
distribution of cash, liquor, freebees, drugs/narcotics
XXII. Proper working by Media Certification and
Monitoring Committees for pre-certification of political advertisement and paid
news
XXIII. Timely curbing of fake news/mis-information, and
pro-active dissemination of information to steer positive narrative.
