Chief Electoral Officer of the state Anupam Rajan issued instructions to strengthen the system of redressal of complaints for free, fair and transparent elections and to take strict action against election related crimes.
He said that to ensure quality redressal of election related complaints, the District Election Officers will have to monitor them from time to time.
The Chief Electoral Officer gave instructions to make necessary arrangements at the polling stations and to ensure the availability of medical kits and medicines with the sector officers in view of the summer.
Rajan was reviewing the preparations for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections in the districts of Jabalpur division in a meeting.
Election Commission Nodal Officer Police Anshuman Singh, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Madhya Pradesh Vivek Shrotriya, Commissioner Jabalpur Division Abhay Verma, Inspector General of Police Anil Kushwaha and Collectors and Superintendents of Police of all the districts of the division were present in the meeting.
After reviewing the districts of Jabalpur division, Chief Electoral Officer Rajan reviewed the ongoing preparations for the Lok Sabha elections in the districts of Rewa and Shahdol divisions in the second session at noon.
In the meeting, Chief Electoral Officer Rajan gave instructions to take strict action in cases of violation of election rules including Model Code of Conduct.
He directed to take preventive action against any such elements who may try to create unrest during the electoral process.
The Chief Electoral Officer also took district-wise details of the action taken so far against criminal elements in the meeting in view of the Lok Sabha elections.
He instructed to make tight security arrangements in sensitive and vulnerable areas and to take immediate and strict action on complaints or information of intimidating, threatening or luring voters.
The Chief Electoral Officer issued instructions to be stricter at check posts and to conduct intensive searches of vehicles in such districts including Jabalpur where elections are to be held after a few days.
He also gave instructions to strictly follow the SOP 48 hours before voting.
He said that for smooth voting, the Collector and Superintendent of Police should personally inspect such locations where there are more than five polling stations.
Emphasizing the need to take strict security measures at vulnerable and critical polling stations, he said that the Election Commission has now given permission to install cameras equivalent to 75 percent of the total number of polling stations for webcasting as per requirement.
Cameras for webcasting can also be installed inside and outside the polling station.
Rajan also took information about the cases of violation of election rules registered so far in every district of the division and the preventive action taken against criminal elements.
He stressed on the need to prevent transportation of large amounts of cash, precious metals and prohibited items during the election process and to carry out intensive frisking of vehicles at check posts.
The Chief Electoral Officer also gave instructions to all District Election Officers to give wide publicity to the ‘cVIGIL app’, so that if a case of violation of the Model Code of Conduct comes to light, citizens can immediately complain about it through the mobile app.
Rajan also reviewed the district wise preparations for the voting day in the meeting.
He also gave instructions for wide publicity regarding arrangements related to voting facilities for voters above 85 and differently abled voters.
He also discussed the communication plan made in the districts to keep a close watch on the voting day activities.
Rajan said that there is a need to pay special attention to training of polling parties in those Lok Sabha constituencies, where the number of candidates including NOTA is more than 15 for which two ballot units each will be required for voting.
He said that in such constituencies, polling parties as well as sector officers should be given hands-on training to connect EVMs and VVPAT machines.
The Chief Electoral Officer also sought details of the SVEEP activities being carried out in the districts to increase voting percentage.
He instructed to give a comprehensive format to the SVEEP activities to motivate the voters to come to the polling booth and cast their vote in the heat of summer.
Rajan stressed on making arrangements for shade, cold water in polling stations and, if possible, parking of vehicles near the polling station.
He directed to build more and more model booths in urban areas and organize SVEEP activities with the participation of various social and business organizations to encourage voters to exercise their franchise.
He laid emphasis on running special campaigns to create voter awareness in such areas where turnout was lower than average in previous elections.
Rajan also gave instructions for wide publicity of alternative identity cards prescribed for identification of voters for voting.
He also discussed the preparation of voter-slip and ASD list to be given to voters.
Chief Electoral Officer Rajan directed to call regular meetings of political parties and candidates and inform them about the guidelines of the Election Commission to ensure transparency in the election process.
He said that videography of every election related activity should also be done.
The activities of the parties formed to monitor the election expenditure of the candidates were also discussed in the meeting.
