Authorities in Baramulla on Monday said that they are ready for upcoming Lok Sabha elections and 905 polling booths have been set up across 722 locations and there are 715,000 eligible voters in the district.
Addressing the joint press conference at Dak Bangla Baramulla, District Election Officer Minga Sherpa said that Model Code of Conduct is active and guidelines have been shared already with stakeholders of political parties.
“We have set up a total of 905 polling booths across 722 locations in Baramulla, after special summary revision catering to 715,000 eligible voters,” he said.
DEO Minga said police have already completed preparations. Baramulla and Sopore district police, around 652 posters, banners, and wall hangings violating election guidelines have been removed in the district.
“Around 60 thousand plus voters have been added in the list from the past two years,” he said.
On the occasion, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla, Amod Ashok Nagpure said that police’s efforts to create a fear-free environment for voters. Measures are in place to encourage high voter turnout and ensure the safety of voters, he said.
SSP said to enhance security, a large contingent of Central Armed Police Forces, along with personnel from the Jammu & Kashmir Police and State Armed Police, have been deployed.
“Security checkpoints have been intensified, and actions are taken against those attempting to incite fear or distribute inducements like drugs, cash, or liquor,” he said.
SSP Nagpure said that categorization of all polling stations across the district as critical, with measures tailored to address security concerns, past incidents, and proximity to the LOC along with POK.
“Action is being taken against suspects who are trying to disrupt peace in the district,” he said, adding that they are hopeful that they will create free and fair elections in Baramulla.
Ads at cost of public exchequer banned in Bandipora
In terms of the instructions of Election Commission of India, vide No. 437/6/ INST/ ECI/ FUNCT/ MCC/ 2024 (ADVERTISEMENTS) dated 2nd January, 2024 the District Magistrate/ District Election Officer (DM/ DEO) Bandipora, Shakeel ul Rehman today ordered ban on advertisements at the cost of public exchequer.
An Order No. 37-DEO/Bpr of 2024 Dated: 18-03-2024, reads that no advertisements shall be issued in electronic and print media highlighting the achievements of the Govt. at the cost of public exchequer. If any advertisement has already been released for telecast/ broadcast or publication in the print media, it shall be ensured that the telecast/ broadcast of such advertisements on electronic media is stopped forthwith and that no such advertisement is published in any newspapers, magazines, etc., i.e. in print media, from the date of announcement and it shall be immediately withdrawn.
The order further clarifies that these instructions shall remain in force till the culmination of General Elections to Lok Sabha-2024.
The order directs All District/Sectoral Officers of District Bandipora to take note of these instructions for immediate necessary action.
Additional District Magistrate, Bandipora, and District Information Officer, Bandipora, shall ensure implementation of these instructions in letter and spirit.
DEO Kulgam chairs meeting with political parties
The District Election Officer (DEO) Kulgam, Athar Aamir Khan today chaired a meeting with representatives from various political parties at the mini-secretariat, here.
The meeting was attended by representatives from BJP, CPIM, INC, JKNC and other political parties.
The objective of the meeting was to underscore the importance of adhering to the highest ethical standards outlined in the Model Code of Conduct, and other applicable guidelines of ECI in view of the forthcoming Lok Sabha Elections, 2024.
The representatives of political parties were also apprised about the Apps like cVIGIL, which enables citizens to report violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC), Suvidha Candidate App, Voter helpline App, Saksham-ECI App, Ncore App, RTI Online portal and other Apps to ensure a smooth and transparent elections.
Election manuals and related material was also distributed among the representatives of these political parties.
The meeting was also attended by SSP Kulgam, Sahil Sarangal; Dy-DEO, AROs and other officers.
DEO Bandipora briefs on election schedule
In view of General Elections to Lok Sabha-2024 scheduled to be held on 20th May 2024 in Bandipora district being part of the Baramulla -1 Parliamentary Constituency, the District Election Officer (DEO) Bandipora, Shakeel ul Rehman today addressed a press conference at Mini Secretariat, here today.
The DEO said that all the necessary circulars detailing the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct to maintain the sanctity of Electoral Process have been issued.
He said that Bandipora district as part of the Baramulla-1 Parliamentary Constituency has 3 assembly segments including 14-Sonawari, 15-Bandipora and 16 Gurez comprising of a total of 312 polling stations with 137 polling stations in 14-Sonawari, 144 polling stations in 15-Bandipora and 31 polling stations in 16-Gurez with assured minimum facility available at all polling stations across the District.
He revealed that the Gazette Notification will be issued on 26th of April, 2024 for Baramulla-1 Parliamentary Constituency.
The DEO said that 3rd May, 2024 is the last date for filling Nominations and on 4th May, 2024 scrutiny of Nomination shall be held while as 06th May, 2024 is the last date for withdrawal of candidature.
He said 20th may is the poll date for Baramulla -1 Parliamentary Constituency and counting of votes shall be held on 4th of June 2024.
The DEO informed that Bandipora has 258675 Electors as on 18th of March 2024 with 131761 Males,126908 females and 06 TGs.
Giving details regarding SVEEP activities, the DEO said that 213 camps were conducted during special Summary revision, in which 3743 new voters were added.
He also highlighted various activities conducted under SVEEP including Screening of documentary on Electoral participations, Youth Rally for generating Awareness about Voter Registration, Booth Level Camps for demonstrating Saksham application for PwD Voters and involving youth icons for generating voter awareness.
The DEO also mentions the use of Election related IT platforms, including cVIGIL, ENCORE, SUVIDHA, ERONET, NGRS portal, etc.
During the press briefing, the DEO/DC was accompanied by ADC, DyDEO, DIO and other concerned officials.
‘Parliamentary polls to be conducted in transparent manner’
The District Election Officer (DEO) Bandipora, Shakeel ul Rehman on Monday convened a meeting of political party representatives to discuss various measures under Model Code of Conduct (MCC) to ensure fair and transparent elections in the district.
The meeting was attended by Nodal Officer MCC Umar Shafi Pandit, Dy DEO Mohammad Rafeeq Bhat, ARO Bandipora Shabir Ahmad wani, ARO Sumbal Amir Choudhary, Nodal Officer Expenditure Monitoring Sheikh Aabid Manzoor, Nodal Officer MCMC Dr. Naseer Ahmad, DLMT, representatives of different political parties including Bhartiya Janta Party, Congress, DPAP, JKAP, JKNC, JKNPF, AIP, NYP, PDP, AAP and other concerned.
The DEO on the occasion said that district administration has made all the necessary preparations to conduct the upcoming parliamentary polls in a free, fair and transparent manner.
He stressed strict enforcement of the model code of conduct across the district.
The DEO emphasised maintaining peace and order during the electoral process and urged political parties to adhere to the model code of conduct.
He stressed the importance of maintaining a peaceful and conducive environment for campaigning and urged political parties to refrain from engaging in any activities that could incite violence or violate the model code of conduct.
Discussions were also held on the importance of ethical campaigning practices, including the dissemination of accurate information and refraining from spreading misinformation or engaging in negative campaigning.
