Staff Reporter / NEW DELHI
Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora, Election Commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra Thursday reviewed poll preparedness for Delhi Assembly Elections at the Election Commission Headquarters.
District Election Officers DEOs, DCPs, Joint CPs, Chairman NDMC, MCD Commissioner and CEO of Delhi Cantonment Board and nodal officers of various enforcement agencies attended the meeting. The Commission also held a separate meeting with Chief Secretary and Police Commissioner of Delhi.
During the meeting, Chief Election Commissioner called upon election officials to conduct a flawless election in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa directed election officials to respond promptly on the complaints received through C-Vigil app and pay attention to the EVM and VVPAT training.
Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Dr. Ranbir Singh made a brief presentation highlighting the status of preparedness. He gave the status with regard to electoral rolls, manpower availability, EVMs, VVPATs, training of all elected officials, and SVEEP activities focusing and targeting low turnout areas for increasing the number of voter turnout. During the review, Dr. Ranbir Singh informed the Commission regarding special measures taken for facilitating persons with disabilities and Senior Citizens voters including Pick and Drop facility. He also informed the Commission about the facilities being created at all Polling Station locations like provision of crèche facility, ramp, water facility, mobile locker, selfie point, waiting area, wheelchairs etc.
Special Commissioner of Delhi Police Praveer Ranjan who is State Police Nodal Officer made a presentation about the general law and order situation prevailing in Delhi and action being planned by Delhi Police to enforce all the measures as mandated by the Commission.
The Commission directed all the DEOs and DCPs to ensure immediate assessment of vulnerable areas so as to prevent any intimidation.
The Commission further directed all the DEOs to ensure the provision of assured minimum facilities including ramp and adequate facility of mobile toilets on locations having more than 6 polling booths. The Commission directed all the local bodies to ensure that all facilities must be available at all polling locations strictly in line with the AMF standards prescribed by the Commission.
DEOs were also directed to properly coordinate with local bodies to remove any noticed deficiency. The Commission emphasized the need for detailed hands-on training on EVM and VVPAT and directed the DEOs to personally monitor this. The Commission emphasized rigorous training for all Model Code of Conduct, Expenditure Monitoring Teams on C-vigil to take immediate effective action against any complaints lodged by the citizen on this app. Commission further directed DEOs to ensure the proper and timely distribution of Photo Voters Slips.
The commission directed the Transport Department to ensure a sufficient number of smaller size vehicles for easy movement polling parties and machines in the narrow lanes. CEC directed all DEOs and DCPs and all other departments to henceforth give utmost priority to the election work so as to ensure the successful conduct of the election.
During the meeting with Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary (Home) and Commissioner of Police Delhi, the Commission asked them to ensure overall supervision and coordination with all Delhi Government Departments for the smooth and peaceful conduct of Election. The Full Commission reviewed the status of preparation at the level of Districts.
All DEOs along with their respective DCPs gave detailed presentations of their District. The Commission was informed about the preparatory action taken by the DEOs in respect of finalization of Electoral Rolls, finalization of manpower requirements, training arrangements and SVEEP initiatives etc. DCPs informed the Commission about the law and order aspects of the Districts.
On this occasion, the Commission released a Coffee Table Book titled Saluting the Voters of Delhi published by CEO, Delhi on the Lok Sabha election 2019 in Delhi.