LS POLLS-2024 | CEO optimistic border ceasefire will ensure smooth elections

Bandipora, May 5: Jammu and Kashmir’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pandurang Kondbarao Pole Sunday said that he was hopeful that no election interference would take place from across the border.

Pole, who was attending a Systematic Voter's Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme for voter awareness in north Kashmir's Bandipora district, told reporters that he was hopeful that this year around, elections in border areas would be conducted peacefully following the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGsMO) understanding on a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in February 2021.

He said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) had already plans in place in case there was an attempt to disrupt the electoral process from across the border.

“ECI has a plan B in place if any attempt from across the border is made to interfere with the elections so that it is ensured that elections still happen,” the CEO said. About the weather readiness, he cited an example of Gurez saying, “If Razdan Pass is closed due to inclement weather, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will be roped in to lift the polling parties, EVMs, and other polling material.”

Pole said that the voter turnout this time would break all the previous records.

“The turnout in Gurez and Bandipora constituencies was good previously too and I hope that people in Bandipora constituency turn up in good numbers this time too,” he said.

The CEO said that the enthusiasm among the voters shows that people would turn out in huge numbers to vote.

He emphasised the importance of vote and participation in the electoral process to influence decision-making.

“When we don’t take part in the electoral process, undesired candidates secure seats and then people are left helpless and in regret,” Pole said.

He emphasised the role of women in taking part in the electoral process saying that their votes matter as they hold power in decision-making.