District Election Officers hold meets for poll preparations

Srinagar: The election machinery in Jammu and Kashmir has hit top gear to complete preparations for the Lok Sabha polls in six constituencies of the state.

The District Election Officers have conducted meetings with various stakeholders for ensuring free, fair and smooth conduct of the five-phase poll. Srinagar District Election Officer Farooq Ahmed Shah yesterday chaired a meeting of all nodal officers designated to oversee various aspects of the polls, a spokesman said. Shah issued directions for the conduct of elections in Srinagar district. "The main issues discussed in the meeting included management of manpower, expenditure monitoring, maintenance of law and order, maintenance of helpline and complaint redressal, EVM management, transportation, training of polling staff and officers," the spokesman said. He also issued instructions for implementation of the model code of conduct. Shah directed all nodal officers related to elections to ensure that the responsibilities given to them are fulfilled in an appropriate manner. He instructed the officers concerned to ensure that the guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India and the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, are followed in letter and spirit. Special camps will be organised at all designated polling stations for addition of new voters today, the spokesman said. "In these camps, the Block Level Officers concerned will be present from 9 AM to 6 PM to ensure that the public is facilitated in terms of additions to the voters list. However, there will be no modifications or deletions at all," he added. Similar meetings were held in Baramulla, Kupwara and other districts of the Valley where the District Election Officers reviewed the poll preparedness, the spokesman said. In Baramulla, District Election Officer Farooq Ahmad Lone convened a meeting with representatives of various political parties, including NC, Congress, PDP, Panthers Party and Peoples Conference (Sajad Lone faction). "The District Election Officer informed the representatives of the political parties about the model code of conduct," the spokesman said. He said district level, sub-divisional level and tehsil level monitoring committees had been constituted to ensure the implementation of the code of conduct. Lone said expenditure monitoring cell with expenditure observers, flying squads and static surveillance teams had been constituted. A district level media certification and monitoring committee had also been constituted to check paid news. Jammu and Udhampur constituencies will go to polls on Arpil 10 and April 17, respectively. Polling in Anantnag constituency will be held on April 24, Srinagar constituency on April 30 and Baramulla and Ladakh on May 7.