JAMMU : Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath today said all arrangements have been put in place for the smooth and incident free conduct of five phase polls in Jammu and Kashmir. “We have reviewed the preparedness and arrangements for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls starting from April 10 in the valley,” Mr Sampath told reporters here this noon. The CEC was here in the town to review the poll preparedness besides interacting with the political parties and meeting with top brass of security agencies.
“We had meetings with the representatives of all the political
parties this morning and we have taken a blue note of suggestions and complaints made by them,” Mr Sampath said adding that they will be considered accordingly.
The CEC said the complaints made by the political leaders included implementation of Defacement Act, no uniform policy regarding flags on the vehicles of political parties, officers not taking action against the violators of Model Code of Conduct. Mr Sampath said suggestions like to felicitate women and physically challenged voters in different queues, distribution of photo I-Ds 4 to 5 days before the date of polling, disclosure of details of shadow register to the candidate to avoid confusions and security to the candidates were made during the meeting and they will be looked into.
“Security arrangements have also been put in place to ensure participation of maximum number of voters into the electoral process,” said the CEC.
On a query regarding poll boycott call by the separatists in the Valley, Mr Sampath said, “Poll boycott call is given for various reasons but we have asked people to exercise their franchise in large without any fear.”
He further said additional security arrangements have been made across the state for the ensuing elections, adding, “We have
also conducted an exercise to identify the vulnerable locations where the voters feel threatened but mobile police parties will be on job so that people especially in the remote belts can cast their votes.”
The CEC added that all the District Magistrates across the state have also been directed to identify the remote hamlets and keep one EVM reserved in such locations to avoid any kind of inconvenience.
“In a bid to assure maximum participation of voters, the poll timing has also been increased which will be held from 0700 hrs to
1800 hrs,” added the CEC.
On BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi’s complaint to the ECI regarding chopper delay, the CEC said the Commission has
taken the congnizance and detailed report has been sought from the
Civil Aviation Ministry.
Around 69.33 lakh voters will exercise their franchise across the state at 9,633 polling stations on April 10, 17, 24, May 7 and May 12.
The counting will take place on May 16. (agencies)
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