Covid protocols in place for upcoming elections: Sharma

SEC seeks special polling booths for migrants at Jammu, Udhampur

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: State Election Commissioner (SEC), K.K Sharma, on Thursday directed for setting up of special polling stations for Kashmiri Migrants at Jammu and Udhampur so that they can effectively exercise their right of franchise.
The SEC was interacting with officers through video conferencing which was attended by Chief Electoral Officer, Jammu Kashmir, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir, Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, IGP Jammu, Joint Director Information Jammu, SSPs Jammu, Udhampur, Relief Commissioner, ARO Migrants Jammu and Udhampur. The SEC said that we have to ensure that every section of society is provided an ample opportunity of exercising their right to vote so that they can also participate in these historic elections meant to strengthen democracy at grass root levels.
Under the arrangements, all Deputy Commissioners concerned of Kashmir Division will notify the setting up of polling stations for Kashmiri Migrants at Jammu and Udhampur so that they can participate in the upcoming DDC elections.
It was also given out that those registered in Jammu will vote at the designated polling stations at Jammu and those at Udhampur would be voting at polling stations set up in that district.
SEC asked DPEOs for ensuring timely dispatch of ballot papers to these polling stations and related election material.
The deployment of Zonal and Sectoral Magistrates and polling parties for these polling stations besides providing necessary training to them shall be done by District Magistrates of Jammu and Udhampur respectively.
Relief Commissioner has been appointed as Nodal officer for conducting and providing necessary infrastructural support for setting up of these polling stations and polling parties.
The SEC asked IGP Jammu for making the requisite security arrangements including arranging police parties for these polling stations.
Meanwhile, the State Election Commissioner, K.K. Sharma has said that the necessary Covid Protocols have been put in place for ensuring safe District Development Council polls in the Union Territory.
The SEC was interacting with Deputy Commissioners of all districts of Jammu and Kashmir through Video Conferencing which was also attended by the respective Chief Medical Officers and senior officers of State Election Commission.
The SEC directed the Officers to ensure foolproof mechanisms for ensuring strict adherence to the already set Covid-19 protocols so that the voters do not feel any hindrance in coming out to vote.
He said that the health department and the district administration should synergize their efforts to ensure successful and safe conduct of the upcoming DDC elections.
The meeting was told that a foolproof method mechanism has been devised for the postal ballots from absentee voters, especially Covid-19 patients in home / institutional isolations and quarantine.
It was also given out that sanitization of polling stations and counting centers would be done before the polling date and afterwards as well.
The meeting was also told that availability of all protective and sanitization equipment like alcohol based sanitizers, non-contact thermometers, facemasks , face shields and PPE Kits has been ensured at the polling stations as well as for the staff and the voters.
It was also given out that necessary IEC activities like publishing of pamphlets and other related material with relation to holding of safe elections has also been done.