KATHUA, SEPTEMBER 22: District Election Officer (Deputy Commissioner) Kathua, Rohit Khajuria today chaired a meeting in connection with the conduct of Municipal Elections 2018 here at the Conference Hall of DC Office Complex.
The meeting was attended by SSP Shridhar Patil, ADC Ghansham Singh Bali, ADC Basholi, Sanjay Gupta, ADC Billawar, Joginder Singh Rai, Dy. District Election Officer, Chand Kishore, SDMs, ASP, DySPs and SDPOs.
The District Election Officer sought cooperation from all the concerned for the successful completion of ULB polls. He stressed on ensuring maximum participation of electorates in the polls. He informed that elections to the Urban Local Bodies shall be conducted through EVMs in 113 polling stations spread across 80 wards of 5 Municipal Committees and 1 Municipal Council of Kathua. He said 25 ROs and 80 AROs have been appointed to conduct polls in a free and fair manner.
Threadbare discussed were held on Security of EVMs, candidates and poll parties, transport plan, appointment of zonal magistrates among other important things in the meeting.
The DEO asked the officers to flag their requirements at the earliest, while the Returning Officers were directed to strictly enforce the model code of conduct. He further directed all the concerned officers to follow ECI guidelines while giving permission to hold a rally and use of loud speakers. Stickers for vehicles used in campaigning and securing public property from defacement are other important issues which needs to be looked upon seriously, the DEO maintained.
The DEO directed ADCs of Billawar and Basohli along and SDM Hiranagar to hold a meeting with locals seeking their cooperation for fair and transparent election.
The SSP called for greater synergy between the office of Returning Officer and security forces with flow of regular update of election related information for unobtrusive election process. He further stressed on immediate review of sensitive polling stations besides vehicle deployment.
Proactive redress of issues for maintaining law and order besides joint visit to polling stations were few other suggestions given to ensure conducive environment for polling.
