KUPWARA, NOVEMBER 30 (KNS): District Panchayat Election Officer (DPEO), Kupwara, Anshul Garg today convened a meeting to review the arrangements put in place for smooth conduct of phase-II of upcoming District Development Council (DDC), Panchayat by-election in the district.

The phase-II of the election is scheduled to be held on Tuesday in 02 District Development Council (DDC) constituencies of Reddi Chowkibal and Ramhal along with Panchayat by-election on vacant seats of Sapanches and Panches in these constituencies.

On the occasion, the DPEO said that the purpose of the meeting is to sensitise and coordinate the police and civil magistrates (zonal and Sectoral) to ensure free and fair conduct of the election.

The DPEO also directed that counting of the votes for Sarpanches and Panches shall be ensured in the same polling station while the ballot papers of DDC candidates should be sent to concerned Strong Room for its safeguard.

He stressed upon the concerned to ensure votes are casted only as per panchayat electoral roll in by-election.

The DPEO further said that the counting of votes for Panchayat by-election should be held in presence of concerned AROs and contesting candidates.

ADC Kupwara asked the concerned officers to ensure a level playing field for all contesting parties for fair and smooth election in the district.

Meanwhile, the polling parties and polling material for conduct of DDC election in Reddi Chowkibal and Ramhaal were dispatched from District Police Lines Kupwara and ITI Handwara. The concerned ROs and Nodal officers supervised the distribution of the polling staff and material.

Among others, SSP Kupwara, SSP Handwara, ADC Kupwara, SDM Lolab, ARTO, all zonal and sectoral magistrates for phase-II, all zonal and sectoral police officers for phase-II were present in the meeting.(KNS)