Srinagar, May 9: Emphasising the paramount importance of robust arrangements in place for the success of the Lok Sabha polls, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pandurang K Pole Thursday exhorted for strict adherence to the electoral protocols set by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for upholding the sanctity and integrity of the democratic ethos.
The CEO, during his extensive visit to various strong rooms and dispatch centres designated in the Srinagar parliamentary constituency for upcoming Lok Sabha polls, asked the concerned officials to ensure seamless arrangements and facilities in place for the huge success of the festival of democracy.
He was accompanied by District Election Officer (DEO) Srinagar, Bilal Mohiuddin Bhat, who is also the Returning Officer (RO) for the Srinagar PC.
During his visit, the CEO assessed the facilities and arrangements in place for surveillance and security of election-related material and machinery kept at these centres for the conduct of Lok Sabha polls.
The CEO inspected strong rooms and dispatch centres designated for the 19-Hazratbal assembly segment established at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) and for assembly segments of 25-Eidgah and 26-Central Shalteng established at Government Degree College (GDC) Bemina.
He instructed the concerned Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) to ensure all safety measures besides strict adherence to the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI) in letter and spirit for the protection of election-related material and machinery at these centres.
Pole further asked the AROs to make sure that all necessary measures are put in place to facilitate a smooth and efficient election process.
He asked them to make proper arrangements for the handling of EVMs, adequate parking and separate entry and exit of the vehicles carrying election material at strong rooms cum collection and distribution centres.
He also emphasised placing adequate spaces for counters to be placed at collection and distribution centres to avoid any cluttering during distribution and collection of election materials.
While interacting with the AROs and other concerned staff, the Chief Electoral Officer underscored the importance of ensuring that all strong rooms cum collection and distribution centres adhere to the prescribed standards of ECI to uphold the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.
Earlier, the DEO and RO Srinagar briefed the CEO regarding the arrangements made in the district to ensure a smooth electoral process.
He informed that the District Election Authority is diligently implementing all necessary measures in compliance with the guidelines of ECI.
ARO Hazratbal, Syed Ahmad Kataria, Deputy District Election Officer, Mir Imtiyaz-ul-Aziz, ARO Eidgah, Nasir Mehmood Khan, ARO Central Shalteng other Officers accompanied the CEO during his visit.
