JAMMU: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K, Pandurang K. Pole, today took an extensive virtual review of poll preparedness in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir here at Nirvachan Bhawan, Jammu. The meeting was attended by all the District Election Officers along with the Heads of Departments of PWD, BRO SAMPARK, IMD, PMGSY and NHAI. The CEO was briefed by the DEOs about the steps being taken up in the districts to ensure smooth conduct of Lok Sabha elections 2024. The District Election Officers apprised the CEO of the status of AMF, printing of ballot papers, commissioning of EVM’s, distribution of voter information slips, Transport plan, webcasting of polling stations, status of model Polling stations and welfare of polling personnel. It is pertinent to mention here that 5 districts of the UT are going to poll in the first phase of elections scheduled to take place on 19th April 2024. The DEO’s were instructed to strictly comply with the SOPs issued by the Election Commission of India for last 72 hours before the date of poll. The DEOs of districts going to poll in the phase two were further instructed to ensure 100% distribution of voter information slips among eligible voters before 20th of March. Additionally, the officers were instructed to undertake comprehensive SVEEP exercises to ensure maximum participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. In view of the ongoing weather disturbances, the District Election Officers were directed to prepare and implement an inclusive Disaster Management Plan so as to ensure incident-free elections. Stressing on the welfare of Polling Personnel, the Chief Electoral Officer instructed the officers to appoint a Nodal officer for Polling welfare and to ensure that the officials are given proper amenities.
