Preparations underway for Budgam bye-election, CEO calls for maximum voter turnout

Budgam, Oct 13: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Sanjeev Verma, today visited Budgam district to oversee preparations for the Upcoming bye-Assembly Elections 2025 to the 27-AC Budgam.

The CEO chaired a meeting with all stakeholders and reviewed polling station-wise arrangements and preparations for the smooth conduct of the Bye-election in 27-AC Budgam in the district.

District Election Officer (DEO) Budgam, Dr Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat presented the overall scenario of bye-election preparations in the district via presentation.

Joint Chief Electoral Officer, Anil Salgotra; ADC Budgam, ASP Budgam, ACR/RO to 27-AC Budgam, Deputy DEO Budgam, CPO Budgam, CEO Budgam, CMO, all other district nodal officers related to bye-election to 27-AC Budgam were present in the meeting.

During the detailed review meeting, DEO apprised the CEO about the district’s comprehensive preparedness for the upcoming bye-elections.

Addressing the officers, the CEO stressed on the importance of strict adherence to guidelines, timelines for the Model Code of Conduct and media monitoring. He urged all stakeholders to maximise voter turnout through door-to-door campaigns under the SVEEP initiative.

The CEO also directed the district administration to formulate booth-level committees and emphasised on expenditure monitoring. He also laid emphasis on the popularisation of all election-related apps of ECI among the general public.

The CEO further directed the district administration that activities under SVEEP be taken up, including plantation, sanitation and distribution of voter slips among the electors for massive involvement of the public in the festival of democracy.

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

While presenting the overall view of preparedness, the DEO informed that, as per the finalised arrangements, a total of 173 polling stations have been established across 111 polling locations in the 27–Budgam Assembly Constituency. He added that these arrangements have been made after meticulous assessment of ground requirements, ensuring that every polling location is fully equipped with all Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) like electricity, drinking water, toilets, ramps, and proper signage for voter convenience.

The DEO further apprised that all key election preparedness parameters were thoroughly examined and cross-verified with the concerned departments. He also informed about other aspects of the election process like readiness of polling staff, EVM and VVPAT functionality, material storage and dispatch logistics, accessibility features for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), and functioning of the Control Room and Help Desk established at the DC Office Complex Budgam.