Assembly elections: General Observers, Police Observer for Bandipora review poll preparedness

Bandipora, Sep 14: In a significant move to ensure smooth conduct of elections in Bandipora, the General Observers for 15-Bandipora and 14-Sonawari Assembly Constituencies, Nelson Eyon Bage, and for 16-Gurez, Ramniwas Yadav, along with the Police Observer Adarsh Sidhu jointly chaired a meeting Saturday at the Mini Secretariat Bandipora to review the poll preparedness across the district’s three Assembly constituencies.
During the meeting, the District Election Officer (DEO) Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri provided a detailed overview of the ongoing electoral preparations. He informed the observers that District Bandipora consists of three Assembly constituencies with a total of 312 polling stations. The DEO informed that the first round of randomization for poll staff and EVMs has been successfully completed, assigning 1,789 officials for election duties.
Qadri stated that the district has ensured assured minimum facilities at all 220 polling locations. Additionally, 12 model polling stations have been established in the district, with three stations each designated as Pink, Blue, Red, and Green to enhance the voting experience. Besides Postal and home voting arrangements have been fully prepared, and election staff have received comprehensive training to ensure efficiency during the polls.
Giving details regarding Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme, DEO informed that 117 awareness programmes have been conducted under SVEEP, besides 312 booth-level camps and 22 interactive sessions aimed at engaging marginalized groups.
SSP Bandipora, Lakshay Sharma also briefed the observers regarding the security scenario of the district and measures taken up to ensure smooth and peaceful elections in the District.
The General Observers expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made so far and stressed the importance of ensuring a seamless electoral process. They highlighted the need for close coordination between all stakeholders and emphasised the need to maintain strict adherence to ECI guidelines.
They called for enhanced focus on resolution of election related issues and also highlighted the importance of monitoring and reporting mechanisms to ensure transparency and fairness in elections.
While reviewing the working of MCMC, Nodal Officer MCMC/DIO Aadil Manzoor Wani apprised the chair that MCMC is working round the clock to ensure close monitoring of Print, Electronic and social media in order to prevent the dissemination of misleading or inappropriate information and to ensure monitoring of paid news besides ensuring media coverage of election related activities within the guidelines of ECI.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Lakshay Sharma, ADDC/ Nodal Officer Law and Order Mohammad Ashraf Bhatt, ADC / Nodal Officer MCC Zaffar Husson Shawal, DyDEO, Returning Officers, Election Nodal Officers, and other concerned.