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Election Commission holds Video Conference with over 250 Observers of Phase 2

EC directs Observers them to ensure smooth, free and fair polling

88 PCs in 12 States/UTs will go to polls in Phase 2 on 26th April, 2024

Directs for all amenities at Polling stations, especially to combat heat

                                                                                                                                                                               

88 Parliamentary Constituencies in 12 states are scheduled for polling on 26 April, 2024 in which 89 General Observers, 53 Police Observers and 109 Expenditure Observers have been deployed. All have reported in constituencies before the last date of nomination i.e. 3 April, 2024. Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner accompanied with Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioner and Sh. 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 second phase, forces are optimally utilised and law and order is kept under strict watch. 

 Central Observers were inter alia directed to ensure:

1.     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

2.     To remain physically available within the Parliamentary Constituency they are allotted during the entire election process.

3.    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

  1. Randomization of deployment of forces in their presence

5.    That Central Forces/State Police Forces are being utilized judiciously and maintaining neutrality and their deployment is not favouring any political party/candidate

6.    Randomization of EVMs/VVPATs and polling personnel in their presence

7.    Smooth process of home voting for 85+ and PwDs and Postal Ballot for persons on election duty, essential duties and Service Voters

8.    That the Electoral Rolls are supplied to the political parties and contesting candidates

  1. The Vulnerability Mapping has been fairly done by the district administration and transportation and communication plan prepared accordingly

10. Deployment of Micro Observers

  1. Commissioning of EVM/VVPAT before all candidates / their representatives

12. Oversee robust security arrangements at the EVM Strong Rooms and ensure presence of authorised agents of all candidates

13. All complaint redressal mechanisms are in place

14. That integrated Control Rooms have been set up in districts under overall charge of an officer authorised to take timely corrective action

15. 100% distribution of voter information slips has been done in advance before the polling day

16. 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

17. The training of all the polling personnel including the counting staff, Micro Observers etc. are being/have been organized in orderly manner

18. Visiting the polling stations in the constituency and ensure that Assured Minimum Facilities are in place at all the polling stations

19. 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

20. Facilities of drinking water, sheds/shamiyanas (tents) for voters waiting in queue and proper sitting arrangements outside the polling stations during polling

21. 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

22. Proper working by Media Certification and Monitoring Committees for pre-certification of political advertisement and paid news

23. Timely curbing of fake news/mis-information, and pro-active dissemination of information to steer positive narrative.