PULWAMA, AUGUST 17( BANN ): As preparations for the Assembly Elections 2024 intensify, Dr. Basharat Qayoom, the District Election Officer (DEO) of Pulwama, has spearheaded a series of detailed meetings with Nodal Officers and political party representatives. These sessions are aimed at ensuring thorough planning and effective coordination for the upcoming elections.
In a pivotal meeting with Nodal Officers, Dr. Qayoom stressed the need to follow the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) guidelines and electoral regulations. He outlined the various duties assigned to officers, including the oversight of the election portal, home voting procedures, and the smooth operation of elections across the four Assembly Constituencies (ACs).
A 24/7 control room has been established to provide ongoing support, featuring a dedicated team and a helpline (1950) to address election-related queries. This control room will also monitor the C-Vigil application and Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) activities closely. Emphasis has been placed on Accessible Voting Facilities (AMF).
The DEO also evaluated the preparations for General Observers, Expenditure Observers, and Police Observers, confirming that both infrastructure and IT setups are in place. National and district-level master trainers have been assigned to train election-related personnel, including Nodal officers, zonal and sector officers, sector police officers, and polling teams.
Logistics for election materials, such as EVMs and VVPATs, have been finalized, with a focus on securing these assets. Additionally, numerous programs under the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiative are planned to enhance voter awareness, including major events in each Assembly Constituency.
In a separate meeting with political party representatives, the DEO emphasized the critical importance of following the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). He issued firm directives to officers and stakeholders to ensure compliance with the MCC.
Detailed briefings and presentations on MCC and essential IT platforms like Suvidha, C-Vigil, and EEM were provided, focusing on managing nominations, securing necessary permissions, and overseeing election expenditure.
Dr. Qayoom concluded by reiterating the need for responsibility, vigilant monitoring, and immediate issue reporting to maintain a fair, transparent, and efficient election process in Pulwama.
