Srinagar April 27 (KNS): The General Observer for 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency (PC), Mukul Kumar along with Police Observer, Sandeep Singh Chauhan and Expenditure Observer, Sambit Mishra Saturday held a joint meeting at SKICC here to take first hand appraisal of the preparedness for Lok Sabha Elections-2024 in the 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency.
The constituency comprises 18 Assembly segments of Ganderbal, Srinagar, Budgam (Partly), Pulwama (partly) and Shopian (Partly) Districts.
Returning Officer (RO) 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat; District Election Officer (DEO) Pulwama, Basharat Qayoom; District Election Officer (DEO) Ganderbal, Shyambir; District Election Officer (DEO) Budgam, Akshay Labroo and District Election Officer (DEO) Shopian, Faz Lul Haseeb were present in the meeting.
Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) of Srinagar, Pulwama, Budgam, Ganderbal and Shopian Districts also attended the meeting.
At the outset, the Observers held an extensive interaction with Assistant Returning Officers (ARO) and Nodal Officers for Model Code of Conduct, Expenditure, and Media Certification & Monitoring Committee and discussed threadbare various vital aspects related to the conduct of Lok Sabha elections in the Constituency.
They held a detailed discussion with regard to enforcement of Model Code of Conduct, Expenditure Monitoring, Security plan, Transport and Communication plan besides functioning of VST and flying squads, Training of Poll Staff, AMF at Polling Stations, SVEEP activities and other measures undertaken for smooth and peaceful conduct of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the constituency.
On the occasion, the General Observer enjoined upon the Officers to work with added zeal and unwavering dedication to uphold sanctity of the election process and safeguarding the democratic spirit.
He also urged them to ensure strict enforcement of Model Code of Conduct and other guidelines of Election Commission of India to ensure smooth, fair and transparent conduct of polls in Srinagar Lok Sabha Seat.
He stressed on proactive approach from all the stakeholders to encourage maximum voters so that enhanced voter turnout is registered during upcoming Elections in 02-Srinagar PC. He further stressed on completion of EPIC distribution process in the Constituency.
The Expenditure Observer emphasized the need of coordination among various monitoring teams for effective expenditure overseeing and stressed the prompt reporting of ECI violation with respect to election expenditure booking. He also underscored the efficient monitoring of the media in order to contain any misuse of election expenditure by the contesting candidates in the District.
He further laid emphasis on instant sharing and uploading of the information related to any kind of seizures, if any in the Constituency as per ECI norms.
The Police Observer stressed the Officers to work with utmost coordination to ensure incident free and smooth conduct of the Lok Sabha Elections in the Constituency.
Earlier, the Returning Officer 02-Srinagar PC apprised the Observers regarding the preparations for free, fair and peaceful conduct of the Lok Sabha Elections in the Constituency.
The RO informed that as many as 1748091 registered electorates are exercising their franchise in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections-2024 in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency including 875865 male 872165 Female and about 61 Transgenders.
He added that as many as 2135 Polling Stations have been setup at 1323 designated location across all 18 Assembly Segments of the Constituency including 260 Polling Stations in two Assembly Segments of Ganderbal District, 929 Polling Stations in eight Assembly Segments of Srinagar District, 345 in three Assembly Segments of Budgam District, 479 Polling Stations in 4 Assembly Segments of Pulwama District and 122 Polling Stations in one Assembly Segments of Shopian District.
The RO also informed that Model Polling Stations have also been set up at various locations across the Parliamentary Constituency to facilitate the voters on the Polling day and welcome them to experience a festive-like environment. He added that dedicated facilities for voters including clean drinking water and ramps for persons with disabilities (PWDs) are also meticulously arranged to enhance the voting experience.
The District Election Officer (DEOs) of Pulwama, Ganderbal, Budgam and Shopian also briefed the Observers about the preparations put in place for the upcoming General Lok Sabha Elections in their respective Districts.
Similarly, Senior Superintendents of Police apprised the Observers about the preparations with regard to security aspects to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the polling within their respective jurisdictions.
The meeting was attended by all the 18 Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) of 02-Srinagar PC.
Besides, Nodal Officers for Model Code of Conduct, Nodal Officers for Expenditure, and Nodal Officers for Media Certification & Monitoring Committee of Ganderbal, Srinagar, Budgam (Partly), Pulwama (Partly) and Shopian (Partly) Districts and Deputy District Election Officers of all the Districts were also present in the meeting.(KNS)