CEO directs DCs, police to ensure the safety of all candidates in Punjab

Chandigarh: To ensure free, fair, peaceful and inducement-free elections, Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C held a high-level meeting on Thursday with all District Election Officers-cum-Deputy Commissioners, Commissioners of Police (CPs), and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) of Punjab. During the meeting, he meticulously reviewed all election-related preparations at the district level for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections on June 1, 2024.

Holding a review meeting through video conferencing, CEO Sibin C asked the officers to comply with all directions issued by the Election Commission of India and directed them to strictly enforce MCC, Flying Squads, Excise teams and border check posts to prevent the inflow of illicit liquor, cash, drugs, arms, and freebies across the state.

Considering the heat wave on polling day, Sibin C instructed officers to ensure adequate facilities at all polling stations in their respective districts. He asked them to take micro-level initiatives to achieve the target of ‘Iss Vaar 70 Paar’ by conducting a smooth election.

Sibin C told officers to provide a voter-friendly environment by offering various facilities at polling booths, including Voter Assistance Booths, Pink, Green, Youth, and PWD Polling Stations, as well as special facilitation for PWD voters. He also mandated the availability of at least one wheelchair at each polling station across the state.

The Chief Electoral Officer further instructed officers to ensure the safety of all candidates and maintain law and order. He reviewed the deployment of CAPF and other arrangements. Sibin C also sought information about the status of printing Final Electoral Rolls, Voter Information Slip distribution arrangements and monitoring from district officers.

During the meeting, the CEO reviewed proper management for the reception of postal ballots, security arrangements at the strong rooms, and CCTV/videography setups as per the Commission’s instructions. He also stressed the importance of deploying micro-observers at each table in counting centers and making proper arrangements for the Counting Halls.

The CEO also reviewed the barricading inside and outside the Counting Centers and the paths for carrying EVMs to the Counting Centers. He asked officers to ensure that these areas are properly sanitized with adequate security measures and proper arrangements for verifying VVPAT paper slips as per the Commission’s instructions. CEO also asked for proper internet arrangements at polling stations.

Sibin C categorically directed officers to arrange for entering voter turnout data in ENCORE and to send timely reports to the CEO’s office through the website for collecting polling data in real-time.

On the occasion, Special Director General of Police for Law and Order, Arpit Shukla also instructed the District Police officers to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates, keep the polls free of intimidation and inducements, be accessible to all and maintain law and order in the state.