652 political posters removed as Baramulla district admin gears up for Lok Sabha polls: DC

Baramulla, March 18: In view of the upcoming Lok Sabha (LS) Elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the district administration Baramulla along with the J&K Police have geared up with all the arrangements in place to ensure smooth conduct of LS elections.

Addressing the media persons, the Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Minga Sherpa said that post notification of the LS election schedule by Election Commission of India on March 16 and imposition of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), the administration convened a meeting with the representatives of all political parties and discussed all the do's and don'ts for the political parties for ensuring a fear free election.

“The Model Code of Conduct has been imposed and it will remain in place until the completion of the LS election,” Sherpa told reporters during a press conference.
The press conference was also attended by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla Amod Ashok Nagpure, SSP Sopore Divya D besides other officers from the civil administration.
DC Baramulla said there are 905 polling stations for the LS election spread across 722 locations in the district.

“After a special summary revision, the total number of electorates is around 7.15 lakh. Baramulla district is the headquarter for Parliamentary Constituency-I. In the last two years, there has been a net addition of 16,000 voters,” he said.

He further said that the district election authorities along with the police have made all necessary arrangements to ensure smooth election.

“The district administration of Baramulla, along with SSP Baramulla and SSP Sopore, removed 652 posters, banners, and wall hangings as per ECI directives,” Minga Sherpa said.
Addressing the media persons, the SSP Baramulla Amod Ashok Nagpure stated that Baramulla police was committed to provide a fear-free and conducive environment for the upcoming LS elections.

“The district administration and police have made arrangements to encourage people to participate in the elections and express their democratic rights without fear,” Nagpure said.
He said that efforts will be made to create a level playing field for all political parties to ensure a fair and free election which will be free from inducements or fear.

“The goal is to encourage active participation and exercise of voting rights in an atmosphere devoid of intimidation, leading to an increase in the voting percentage and the expression of democratic rights,” SSP Baramulla said.

About the security arrangements made for the LS elections, SSP Baramulla said that comprehensive deployment arrangements have been made for election-related activities.
“We have submitted a requisition MHA for CAPF while deployment of J&K Police and State Armed forces is already in place. Over 30 flying squads and static surveillance teams are already operational and efforts are being made to address any attempts to spread fear or intimidation,” he said.
He said that people will be encouraged to step out of their homes without fear and exercise their voting rights. “Strict action will be taken against the groups and individuals who will try to create any fear among people with regard to the elections,” he said.

SSP Baramulla said that given the security situation, all the polling stations in the district have been categorised as critical, and all other measures have been taken accordingly. “Considering the border sharing with PoJK past incidents. All polling stations are declared critical.