Kupwara, Nov 10: Ayushi Sudan, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara and District Election Officer, chaired a meeting today to review the progress of the Special Summary Revision (SSR) – 2023. The meeting included Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), and other relevant officers.
ACR Kupwara commenced the meeting with a comprehensive overview of the ongoing exercise, disclosing that Kupwara district has a total of 611 polling stations, and the draft electoral roll indicates 5,19,000 voters.
The DC conducted a detailed assessment covering various aspects, including the smooth conduct of the SSR, Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) at polling stations, the Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Programme (SVEEP) campaign, and the enrollment of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) voters.
Highlighting the prime objective of the SSR-2023, DC Ayushi Sudan emphasized the need to keep the Electoral Roll updated and facilitate fresh enrolment for eligible voters turning 18 or more by January 1, 2024 (qualifying date). She called for an analysis of Electoral Rolls to identify areas where some voters may remain unregistered.
The DC directed officers to organize special drives in educational institutions, markets, industrial estates, and other public spaces to enroll young eligible voters. Special camps targeting ST population returning from Dhocks and focusing on the elderly and specially-abled individuals were also mandated.
To ensure intensive door-to-door voter registration campaigns, the DC instructed EROs and AEROs to mobilize Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and report progress on a daily basis.
The meeting also addressed the provision of Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) such as electricity, water, and ramp facilities at polling stations. The CEO Kupwara was directed to furnish a detailed report on institutions lacking AMFs within two days.
DC Ayushi Sudan also evaluated the progress of the SVEEP campaign, where District Nodal Officer Iftikhar Naseem reported activities such as essay competitions, sticker pasting campaigns, and the placement of banners and hoardings at prominent locations. An extensive social media campaign is concurrently underway to enhance voter awareness in the district.
The meeting was attended by ACR Kupwara, Irfan Bahadur; SDM Sogam, Ijaz Ahmad Bhat; CEO Kupwara, A.H Fani; Tehsildars (AEROs), officials from the District Election Authority Kupwara, and other relevant officials.
