Master Trainers brief polling personnel on EVM handling and complete election process
Punjab E News (Pawan Dhupar): In view of the upcoming bye-election for the 021-Tarn Taran Assembly Constituency scheduled for November 11, the first rehearsal for polling staff deployed for election duties was conducted at Mai Bhago College of Nursing, Piddi (Tarn Taran).
Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab, Sakatar Singh Bal, PCS specially visited the venue to review the arrangements and observe the training session. He was accompanied by Returning Officer cum SDM Gurmeet Singh and other officials.
During the session, Master Trainers imparted training to around 1,200 polling personnel on handling EVMs, VVPATs, and Control Units, as well as on the entire polling-day procedure. A mock drill was also conducted for Presiding Officers (PROs), during which they cast at least five votes for each candidate, including NOTA, totaling around 100 mock votes to demonstrate the functioning of the EVMs and VVPATs. The PROs expressed full confidence in the reliability and transparency of the machines.
Addressing the polling staff, Sakatar Singh Bal emphasized that all officers and employees entrusted with election duties must perform their responsibilities with utmost honesty, dedication, and diligence. He urged every member to thoroughly understand all aspects of the polling process to ensure smooth and error-free conduct on polling day, adding that even a minor lapse cannot be tolerated in the election process.
Returning Officer Gurmeet Singh informed that the next rehearsal for polling staff will be held on November 2. He said that the district administration has completed all necessary preparations to ensure that the bye-election in Tarn Taran is conducted in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. He also appealed to all voters of the constituency to exercise their right to vote fearlessly and without any inducement or pressure.
