DEO Bandipora conducts tour of Gurez Valley

Bandipora, Aug 23: In a concerted effort to ensure a seamless and transparent electoral process, the District Election Officer (DEO) Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri today convened a meeting of officers at Dak Bungalow Gurez to review the ongoing preparations for the upcoming Assembly Elections in the 16-Gurez Assembly Constituency (AC).

The meeting was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC)/Nodal Officer for Model Code of Conduct (MCC), Zaffar Husson Shawal, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM)/Returning Officer (RO) for 16-Gurez, Mukhtar Ahmad, along with Tehsildars, and representatives from various departments including Health, Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Social Welfare, and other stakeholders.

During the meeting, the DEO conducted a detailed review of the preparedness of the concerned departments to ensure a smooth electoral process. He emphasised the importance of inter-departmental coordination and the need for all departments to work in unison to facilitate an efficient and transparent election.

The DEO underscored the necessity for strict adherence to the guidelines set by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to maintain the integrity of the electoral process. He directed all officers to ensure that the guidelines are implemented in letter and spirit, with a particular focus on voter accessibility and the smooth functioning of polling stations. He stressed the importance of ensuring that all logistical arrangements, including the setup of polling stations, are completed well in advance.

Following the meeting, the DEO undertook an extensive tour of various polling stations in the 16-Gurez AC to assess the on-ground preparations. He visited multiple polling stations, including those in remote and far-flung areas, to ensure they are equipped with the necessary facilities and arrangements to accommodate voters comfortably.

During the visits, the DEO interacted with local officers and staff, emphasizing the importance of their roles in upholding the democratic process. He also stressed the importance of maintaining a voter-friendly environment at polling stations, ensuring they are accessible to all voters, including persons with disabilities (PWD) and the elderly.

He urged all officers and staff involved in the electoral process to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and integrity, keeping the interests of the democratic process at the forefront.