CEO Pole reviews counting preparations for LokSabha Elections 2024
Asks for strict implementation of ECI guidelines
Virtual meet held to ensure smooth & secure vote counting process
Districts directed to ensure adequate provisions for postal ballots & VVPAT Slips counting
Emphasizes discipline & security during vote counting on June4
Enhanced media & candidate facilitation at counting centres
Installation of CCTV & Videography to monitor counting centres
Jammu, June 01: The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Jammu and Kashmir, Pandurang K. Pole, today had a comprehensive review of preparedness of the districts ahead of the final counting of votes for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 here at Nirvachan Bhawan, Jammu.
The meeting was virtually attended by all the District Election Officers along with the concerned Assistant Returning Officers and ARO Migrants (Jammu, Udhampur, and Delhi). The counting of votes is scheduled to take place on 4th June across 9 counting centres.
The Chief Electoral Officer congratulated the district administrations for successful and peaceful completion of Polling in the UT. It is pertinent to mention here that Kashmir Valley recorded the highest percentage of voter turnout since 1980’s.
The Returning Officers apprised the CEO of the arrangements in place for counting of votes particularly issuance of passes, security arrangements at counting centres, welfare provisions for polling personnel and arrangement of facilitation centres for Media as well as contesting candidates and their counting agents.
The Chief Electoral officer directed the RO’S/DEO’S to ensure that adequate arrangements are in place for counting of Postal Ballots and ETPBS as well as for VVPAT slips. He also asked the officers to ensure the provision of proper manpower for data entry in ENCORE.
Stressing the need for a smooth and incident-free counting process, the CEO directed the districts to properly train and sensitize the manpower involved in counting so that proper discipline and decorum at the counting centres is maintained. He also asked the districts to ensure installation of CCTV cameras besides making appropriate arrangements for Videography at the Counting Centres.
The meeting was informed that 10 counting centres have been established for Lok Sabha Polls 2024 in Jammu and Kashmir and Delhi (for Migrant voters).
Extensive preparations finalised for vote counting in Jammu PC
The Returning Officer for the 05-Jammu Parliamentary Constituency, Sachin Kumar Vaishya, conducted a comprehensive inspection of the Counting Centres at the Government Polytechnic College and MAM College on Friday.
The inspection, aimed at ensuring seamless and transparent vote counting, comes ahead of the LokSabha Elections scheduled for June 4.
Accompanied by SSP Dr.Vinod Kumar and other key officers, Vaishya finalised preparations, focusing on robust security measures, logistics, and essential amenities. The inspection team meticulously reviewed the deployment of paramilitary forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) personnel, alongside the setup for counting staff and agents.
Key officials present included ADDC Sher Singh, AROs, Director IT (DIO NIC Jammu) SanjeevKapoor, SSP Traffic Faisal Qureshi, and Dy. DEO Rameshwar Kumar among others. The inspection’s focal points included barricading, traffic management around the centres, parking facilities, entry protocols for counting staff and agents, and the establishment of control rooms. Additionally, provisions for drinking water, mobile toilets, cleanliness, a public address system, and fire tenders were thoroughly reviewed.
Emphasising strict adherence to security protocols, Vaishya issued directives for handling and moving Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in line with the Election Commission of India’s guidelines. The presence of central paramilitary forces and JKP was assessed to ensure security.
The inspection also covered arrangements for power supply, adequate water provision, media management, and the issuance of entry passes, ensuring all aspects were meticulously planned for the vote counting process.
The RO’s thorough review and directives are expected to contribute significantly to the smooth execution of the counting process, reaffirming the commitment to a transparent and orderly electoral procedure in the Jammu Parliamentary Constituency.
