CEO reviews poll preparations in Budgam, Pulwama

Budgam, Sep 01: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pandurang Kondbarao Pole reviewed poll preparations in central Kashmir’s Budgam district and south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Sunday.

The CEO visited Budgam district to oversee preparations for the forthcoming assembly elections.

The visit encompassed various activities like inspection of MCMC, control room, counting centre, and strong rooms at the district headquarters.

During the visit, the CEO also chaired a meeting with all stakeholders and reviewed assembly-wise arrangements and preparations for the smooth conduct of elections in all five assembly segments of the district.

He stressed the importance of strict adherence to guidelines, timelines for the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and media monitoring.

Pole urged all stakeholders to maximise voter turnout through door-to-door campaigns under the SVEEP initiative.

He also directed for formation of booth-level committees and emphasised expenditure monitoring.

The CEO emphasised the popularisation of all election-related apps of ECI among the people.

He directed that activities under SVEEP be taken up like plantation, sanitation, and distribution of voter slips among the electors for massive involvement of the people in the festival of democracy.

Pole also took an assessment of AMF, transport, material distribution, deployment, training of staff, webcasting, home voting facility and other related preparations in the district.

During the meeting, DEO Budgam, Akshay Labroo, concerned ROs, and Nodal Officers briefed the CEO about arrangements related to elections in the district.

The CEO also presided over a Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme at Government Degree College (GDC) Boys in Pulwama.

The event aimed to promote voter awareness and participation ahead of the upcoming assembly polls.

The SVEEP activities included a painting competition on ‘right to vote’ and an essay competition on ‘India: A democratic nation.’

The CEO said that SVEEP was a flagship initiative focused on voter education, raising voter awareness, and promoting voter literacy.

He also highlighted the importance of voting and inclusive elections, acknowledging the efforts of ASHA and Anganwadi workers in encouraging voter turnout.

Pole urged voters to come out in large numbers and every eligible voter to exercise their right to vote on September 18.

Students from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) Aglar performed cultural activities including the song ‘Sare Jahan Se Achcha’, a skit ‘My Vote, My Future’, and a traditional Ladi Shah performance, all emphasising voter participation.

The CEO praised the students for their role in promoting electoral awareness.

District Election Officer (DEO) Pulwama, Basharat Qayoom called for a historic voter turnout and urged active participation from the residents of Pulwama.

The programme concluded with the CEO honouring students who excelled in the competitions.

SSPs of Pulwama and Awantipora, ADDC Pulwama, RO Pulwama, Nodal Officer SVEEP, and numerous students and residents, were also present on the occasion.