102 PCs in 21 States/UTs and 92 Assembly Constituencies in Arunachal & Sikkim are all set for polling on 19th April
102 Parliamentary Constituencies in 21 states are scheduled for polling on 19th April, 2024 in which 127 General Observers, 67 Police Observers and 167 Expenditure Observers have been deployed.
All have reported in constituencies before the last date of nomination i.e. 26th March, 2024.
Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner accompanied by Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioner and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Election Commissioner asked all the observers to strictly ensure that polling stations contain all amenities for voters especially to combat the heat, no inducements are offered close to the voting of first phase, forces are optimally utilised and law and order are kept under strict watch.
Central Observers were inter alia directed to ensure:
I. The preparedness for polling in all the constituencies well in advance and ensure a level playing field for all the stakeholders i.e. candidates and political parties
II. To remain physically available within the Parliamentary Constituency they are allotted during the entire election process.
III. Wide publication of mobile/landline/email/place of stay and circulation amongst candidates and political parties so that they are available on the designated numbers/addresses on a daily basis to the general public/candidate and political parties,
IV. Randomization of deployment of forces in their presence
V. That Central Forces/State Police Forces are being utilized judiciously and maintaining neutrality and their deployment is not favouring any political party/candidate
VI. Randomization of EVMs/VVPATs and polling personnel in their presence
VII. Smooth process of home voting for 85+ and PwDs and Postal Ballot for persons on election duty, essential duties and Service Voters
VIII. That the Electoral Rolls are supplied to the political parties and contesting candidates
IX. The Vulnerability Mapping has been fairly done by the district administration and the transportation and communication plan prepared accordingly
X. Deployment of Micro Observers
XI. Commissioning of EVM/VVPAT before all candidates / their representatives
XII. Oversee robust security arrangements at the EVM Strong Rooms and ensure the presence of authorised agents of all candidates
XIII. All complaint redressal mechanisms are in place
XIV. That integrated Control Rooms have been set up in districts under the overall charge of an officer authorised to take timely corrective action
XV. 100% distribution of voter information slips has been done in advance before the polling day
XVI. All the IT applications such as C-vigil, Voter Helpline App, Saksham App, ENCORE, Suvidha App etc, are being used by the election staff and they are properly trained to use these apps
XVII. The training of all the polling personnel including the counting staff, Micro Observers etc. has been/have been organized in an orderly manner
XVIII. Visiting the polling stations in the constituency and ensure that Assured Minimum Facilities are in place at all the polling stations
XIX. Setting up of Voter Assistance Booth at all the polling stations for the convenience of voters, special facilitation for differently abled, physically challenged, women, elderly and leprosy affected voters etc
XX. Facilities of drinking water, sheds/shamyanas for voters waiting in queue and proper sitting arrangements outside the polling stations during polling
XXI. That Flying Squads, Statistics Surveillance Teams, Video Viewing Teams, Border Check Posts, Nakas etc. are doing their work round the clock and efforts are being made so that there is no movement and distribution of cash, liquor, freebies, drugs/narcotics
XXII. Proper working by Media Certification and Monitoring Committees for pre-certification of political advertisement and paid news
XXIII. Timely curbing of fake news/misinformation, and pro-active dissemination of information to steer positive narrative.