Udhampur, Sept 16: Relief & Rehabilitation Commissioner (M), Dr. Arvind Karwani, on Monday took stock of the arrangements being put in place for facilitation of Kashmiri migrant voters at Udhampur for upcoming General Elections to the Legislative Assembly.
Dr Karwani accompanied by Tanveer-Ul Majid Wani, Assistant Returning Officer(M) Udhampur and Raj Kumar, Zonal Officer Udhampur and other officials, visited the Government Industrial Training Institute Udhampur, venue of Special Polling Station for Kashmiri migrant voters.
He was apprised about the arrangements in place for distribution and collection of polling material/EVMs and also the arrangements being put in place for counting of votes.
Dr Karwani emphasized on ensuring all the requisite Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) for voters like permanent ramps, drinking water, toilet facilities as per norms of Election Commission of India.
Zonal Officer and his staff were directed to reach out to the voters, keeping in view the scattered population of the migrants in the non-camp areas.
Dr. Karwani also interacted with the polling staff and asked them to strictly follow the laid down instructions /guidelines to ensure free, fair and impartial polling.
Pertinent to mention that the 16 Assembly constituencies of South Kashmir districts of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam are going to polls on 18th September, for the purpose of which Special Polling Stations for Kashmiri migrant voters have been set up in Jammu, Udhampur and Delhi. The Special Polling Stations at Jammu and Udhampur have been mapped to the Camps/Zones individually, ensuring that every Zone has atleast one special polling station.
The intra-zonal jurisdiction for each such polling station has been earmarked keeping in mind the distance/ease of approach for each set of electors. Free transportation facility is also being provided to the voters from certain designated locations to the polling stations and back, keeping in consideration the scattered population of Kashmiri migrants.
Similar arrangements have been put in place for the 2nd phase of polling on 25th September (Central Kashmir districts of Srinagar, Budgam) and for the 3rd phase of polling on 1st October (North Kashmir districts of Ganderbal, Bandipora, Baramulla and Kupwara).
