Ensure smooth, free, fair, transparent elections: RO Srinagar PC to officers

Srinagar, Apr 21: Returning Officer (RO) 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency (PC), Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat on Sunday chaired a meeting of all Assistant Returning Officers (AROs), Deputy District Election Officers (Dy. DEOs), Nodal Officers for Postal Ballot, EDC and ETPBS for the upcoming Parliamentary Elections-2024 in the 2-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency comprising 18 Assembly segments of Ganderbal, Srinagar, Budgam (Partly) and Pulwama and Shopian (Partly) Districts.
The meeting was held at the Conference Hall of the DC Office Complex Srinagar to review the preparations made and arrangements put in place for conduct of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections-2024 in 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency.
At the outset, the RO took a firsthand appraisal from all the AROs, Dy. DEOs and designated Nodal Officers with regard to tasks assigned to them for smooth conduct of Lok Sabha Elections-2024 in the Constituency.
The RO reviewed the preparations being made by all concerned Officers related to key aspects of the Lok Sabha Elections-2024 including AMF/ arrangements at Polling Stations, Transportation of Polling Staff/ Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Postal Ballot and Voting by Polling Staff/ EDC, Postal Voting Centre (PVC), implementation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC), Material Management, Training programmes, Welfare measures, SVEEP and other related activities aimed at ensuring smooth, transparent and peaceful General Elections in 02-Srinagar Constituency.
The RO directed all the Officers to work with due diligence and dedication to ensure smooth, free and fair elections.
He expressed confidence in the collective resolve and capability of all the Officers to fulfil their roles effectively and efficiently, thereby contributing to the successful conduct of the Lok Sabha Elections-2024 in 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency.
He stressed all the Officers to work with a proactive approach and execute allotted tasks on ground and maintain cooperation and coordination with the line departments. He further asked them to go through comprehensive ECI guidelines regarding duties and responsibilities during the election period.
On the occasion, Dr. Bilal 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.
The RO added that as many as 15431 voters of over 85 years, 11679 PWDs, 56915 Migrants and 960 Service Voters are exercising their franchise in the Parliamentary Constituency on May 13, 2024 for which 2503 Electronic voting Machines (EVMs) have been kept in ready state.
The RO also informed that Model Polling Stations have also been setup at various locations across the Parliamentary Constituency including 36 Mobile Polling stations, 20 Pink Polling Stations, 18 PWDs Polling Stations, 18 Green Polling Stations and 18 Youth Polling Stations have been established in the Constituency to facilitate the voters on the Poll day and welcome them to experience a festive-like environment.
He added that dedicated facilities for voters including clean drinking water and ramps etc are also meticulously arranged to enhance the voting experience.
Earlier, the RO was briefed by all the AROs and designated Nodal Officers about the preparations made so far for the conduct of upcoming Lok Sabha Elections-2024.
The RO also emphasized encouragement of first-time voters so that they exercise their democratic right and make the poll process more participative.
He said 02-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency has nearly 2.0 lakh first-time voters in the 18-20 age group eligible to vote in the Lok Sabha Elections on May 13, 2024 in the Constituency.
The RO also stressed on taking welfare measures for Polling Staff on the Poll day so that they do not face any inconvenience while discharging their duties.