Udhampur-Kathua-Doda LS seat goes to polls

Jammu, Apr 18:  J&K Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Pole Thursday exuded confidence that the resilient electorate of Udhampur, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban would exercise their right to franchise, undeterred by any phenomenon, including weather, as fool-proof arrangements were in place everywhere for “safe, secure and peaceful polling” tomorrow.

Udhampur parliamentary constituency, comprising 18 assembly segments spanning across these five districts viz., Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Udhampur and Kathua, is going to polls tomorrow i.e., April 19, in the first phase of General Elections-2024.

“On the eve of the first phase of polling, my message for the electorate of Udhampur, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban is – Reach to the polling stations, undeterred by any factor and cast your valuable vote.

I know you are tenacious people, braving even inclement weather conditions with an amazing aptitude. I’m confident that nothing will deter you, not even rain, from reaching polling stations,” the J&K CEO said, in response to Greater Kashmir query as to what would be his message for the electorate, participating in the first phase of polling commencing tomorrow i.e., April 19.

“See, all these districts comprise hilly areas and the terrain is also very treacherous and the people of these areas also are tenacious. Being inhabitants of these difficult areas, they are tough, hardy people, whose tenacity even in the face of inhospitable conditions is amazing, exemplary.

They very well know how to tackle difficult, precarious conditions. They robustly face rough and tough climates. As per weather forecast, it is very likely that some of the areas, assembly segments in these districts may experience rainfall,” he stated.

“I’m confident that even if it rains, given their tenacious aptitude or capacity to face rough and tough or turbulent weather conditions, the electorate of these areas will definitely reach the polling stations established by us (Election department) in their respective villages in their districts, even in far-off places to cast their valuable votes. Even rains will not deter them from exercising their right to franchise, I’ve full faith in their resilience,” CEO Pole said.

FOOLPROOF SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS IN PLACE

With regard to arrangements for safe and smooth polling, he said, “We have deployed a full section of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) at every critical polling station. Even outside it (polling station), area domination is being executed by Jammu and Kashmir Police.”

CRITICAL POLLING STATIONS TO REMAIN UNDER STRICT SURVEILLANCE

The CEO asserted that in line with the directions of the Election Commission of India (ECI), preparations were made for strict monitoring of polling stations, with particular focus on critical polling stations.

“Every critical polling station is under strict surveillance. That live feed of polling in the polling stations, we will receive at the Command and Control Centre (at CEO office). Through this technology, our officials will keep monitoring as to whether the polling process is going on as per rules or some problem (of any nature) is there,” he said.

Notably, to monitor various election related activities and check Model Code of Conduct compliance, a 24X7 working Command and Control Room has been established at CEO office, Jammu and similar mini control rooms have been set up at every DEO office. Apart from looking for MCC violations, the Control Room also has live feed of more than 55 percent polling stations and all vehicles being used for poll parties’ movement.

CONSTITUENCY PROFILE

A total of 16.23 lakh voters, including 8.45 lakh male and 7.77 lakh female electorates, are eligible to vote and participate in the electoral process.

As per official statistics, the total electorates included around 23637 persons with disability besides 403 persons above 100 years of age, who have been enrolled to participate in the electoral process.

According to a communication received by the office of Chief Electoral Officer, J&K, around 2,637 polling stations have been set up for the first phase of the general elections being held across five districts of Kathua, Udhampur, Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban.

Out of these, 136 polling stations are P-2 while 31 polling stations belong to the P-7 to P-3 category. Among the districts, Kathua has 25 polling stations along the international border. In total, more than 11000 polling staff including reserve staff, will be deployed on duty.

POLLING TO BEGIN AT 7 AM; TO CONTINUE TILL 6 PM

The polling will be held from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm before which there will be a mock poll in presence of the polling agents. The voting will continue even after 6.00 pm, in case there will be the voters still waiting for their turn in the polling station premises.

Every polling station will be provided with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) besides wheelchairs will also be provided to the needy. The ballot units will have a list of contesting candidates in Braille script. “Where ever required there will be a separate queue for senior citizens and specially-abled persons facilitating them for early voting.  Additionally, there will be a voter help desk, manned by a concerned Booth Level Officer (BLO) to extend necessary help to the needy,” the officials said.

There will be 19 polling booths manned by women (also called as pink polling stations), 14 polling booths manned by specially-abled persons and 17 will be looked after by youths. Also in order to spread messages about environmental concern, there will be 20 green polling stations.

“Aimed to facilitate voters in identification and increase voter turnout, all voters have been provided with voter information slip with all requisite details like Polling Station name, date and time of poll, serial number of voter in the list, his full name, QR code but not the photograph of the voter. Hence, Voter Information Slips will not be allowed as proof of the identity of voters. The concerned BLOs have already distributed voter information slips among all the electorates,” the communiqué mentioned.

Also, the citizens can view details of the Polling Station, Parliamentary Constituency, and get the contact details of the Booth Level Officer, Electoral Registration Officer among other services, through Voter Helpline App (VHA). This mobile app is available on the Google Play store and Apple App Store.

12 ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS ALLOWED TO VERIFY VOTERS

In addition to the Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), 12 types of documents will also be allowed to verify a voter and allow him to vote as EPIC card is not mandatory for voting. These documents included Aadhaar Card, MGNREGA Job Card, Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under scheme of Ministry of Labour, Driving License, PAN Card, Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, Indian Passport, Pension document with photograph, Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Govt/PSUs/Public Limited Companies, Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs and Unique Disability ID (UDID) Card, issued by Union Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment.

The Voter Turnout App will be used to display estimated provisional voter turnout details of each Parliamentary Constituency entered by the RO. The media can also use the same application to capture estimated voter turnout data.

Approximate voter turnout data of each phase of the elections will be displayed through this app. There will be two hourly reporting of voting percentage from 9.00 am to the end of the poll. The concerned ARO and RO will share the data with the media accordingly. Even the updated figures will be placed in the voter turnout app.

Around 1440 polling stations in phase I will have CCTV cameras for live webcasting to control rooms established at the District and CEO office. Besides, 200 polling stations will have two cameras, for inside and outside surveillance. Around 2100 vehicles of polling parties and sector officers will be equipped with a GPS system so as to locate the vehicle and monitor movement. Also, Satellite Phones, Wireless sets and Special Runners have been put in place for about 95 polling stations which are in communication shadow areas.

In the entire Union Territory, from the date of announcement of election to till date material and cash of around Rs 5.34 Cr has been seized by various executing departments.

Officials said, “The J&K Election office is implementing the Model Code of Conduct in letter and spirit by facilitating the general masses to exercise their right to vote in a free and fair manner. The public campaigning in areas of Udhampur Parliamentary constituency concluded on April 17 evening, allowing the voters a peaceful break from being influenced by the election campaigns. Till date, 75 grievances have been received on C-VIGIL app and more than 50 % resolved in time while others are under resolution. For filing Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violation cases by the citizens, C-VIGIL app provides time stamped evidentiary proof of the Model Code of Conduct/ Expenditure Violation by empowering every citizen to click a photo or video using his or her smart-phone.”