As the General Election to Lok Sabha 2024 are approaching, General Observer for 2-Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency, Mukul Kumar and Security Observer Sandeep Singh Chouhan Thursday made a visit to Pulwama to review the poll preparedness of the district. District Election Officer (DEO) Pulwama, Dr. Basharat Qayoom provided a comprehensive briefing to the chair through a detailed presentation, highlighting the district's preparedness and strategies for smooth conduct of the elections.
The DEO gave a detailed overview of arrangements including SVEEP, Material Management, Manpower Plan, Transport Plan, EVM Management, arrangements at polling stations and Distribution cum Receipt Centres (DCRC), and other measures undertaken for smooth and peaceful conduct of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections in the district.
It was informed that as many as 4,03,795 registered electorates are exercising their franchise in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections-2024 in the four Assembly Constituencies of the district. The DEO assured the Observers of the administration’s full preparedness to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections.
Measures such as providing facilities for voters including ramps for persons with disabilities were highlighted to enhance the voting experience. While reviewing the status of polling stations, the DEO informed that a total 479 polling stations are established in the designated locations in the district, besides 12 Special Polling stations are also established in different locations of the district.
Furthermore, Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) Pulwama and Awantipora briefed on the security plan to ensure a safe and secure electoral environment. The Observers also visited the Joint Control Room and the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) to ensure that all election-related communications are in compliance with the guidelines set by the Election Commission.
Monitoring and regulating campaign advertisements and communication are essential to maintain fairness in the electoral process. Furthermore, Observers inspected the Dispatch cum Receipt Centre (DcRC) established at Degree College Women Pulwama, 35-Rajpora Assembly Constituency, to review the arrangements in place for the timely and secure dispatch of election materials.
Ensuring the smooth logistics of election materials is vital for the efficient conduct of polling day operations. Later observers conducted a thorough examination of the existing security protocols and infrastructure at the District Police Lines. Discussions were held with senior officials and key stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of current strategies and identify areas for improvement.
During the visit, emphasis was placed on leveraging modern technologies and intelligence-gathering techniques to strengthen preemptive measures against potential security threats. Additionally, collaborative efforts between law enforcement agencies and the local community were highlighted as integral to maintaining peace and security in the district.