The Election Commission of India has said that 102 Parliamentary Constituencies in 21 states and 92 Assembly Constituencies in Arunachal and Sikkim are set for polling on 19th April 2024. It informed that all the 127 General Observers, 67 Police Observers and 167 Expenditure Observers had reported in constituencies before the last date of nomination i.e. 26th March, 2024.
On Friday, Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioner and Dr 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.
Further, the Election Commissioners directed the Central Observers to ensure:
– 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
– To remain physically available within the Parliamentary Constituency they are allotted during the entire election process.
– 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,
– Randomization of deployment of forces in their presence
– That Central Forces/State Police Forces are being utilized judiciously and maintaining neutrality and their deployment is not favouring any political party/candidate
– Randomization of EVMs/VVPATs and polling personnel in their presence
– Smooth process of home voting for 85+ and PwDs and Postal Ballot for persons on election duty, essential duties and Service Voters
– That the Electoral Rolls are supplied to the political parties and contesting candidates
– The Vulnerability Mapping has been fairly done by the district administration and transportation and communication plan prepared accordingly
– Deployment of Micro Observers
– Commissioning of EVM/VVPAT before all candidates / their representatives
– Oversee robust security arrangements at the EVM Strong Rooms and ensure presence of authorised agents of all candidates
– All complaint redressal mechanisms are in place
– That integrated Control Rooms have been set up in districts under overall charge of an officer authorised to take timely corrective action
– 100% distribution of voter information slips has been done in advance before the polling day
– 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
– The training of all the polling personnel including the counting staff, Micro Observers etc. are been/have been organized in orderly manner
– Visiting the polling stations in the constituency and ensure that Assured Minimum Facilities are in place at all the polling stations
– 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
– Facilities of drinking water, sheds/shamyanas for voters waiting in queue and proper sitting arrangements outside the polling stations during polling
– 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
– Proper working by Media Certification and Monitoring Committees for pre-certification of political advertisement and paid news
– Timely curbing of fake news/mis-information, and pro-active dissemination of information to steer positive narrative.
