Port Blair, Mar. 7: The Chief Electoral Officer, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Shri B S Jaglan, IAS held a meeting today in his chamber, Secretariat, A&N Administration with Returning Officer, ANIPC, State Nodal Officer (ETPBS), District Nodal Officer (ETPBS), Post Master General of A&N Islands to review the progress of Elector’s Photo Identity Card (EPIC) distribution to electors and ETPBS/Postal Ballot facilities to voters in view of upcoming General Election to Lok Sabha-2024.

The CEO reviewed the status of progress of distribution of EPIC and discussed on various issues which came to notice of the CEO in EPIC distribution by Postal staff. CEO directed the Postal Department to speed up the distribution of EPICs to electors in view of upcoming General Elections to Lok Sabha -2024 as per guidelines of MoU. The Postal Department assured that all EPICs are distributed timely by creating a special messenger team. The EPICs should be handed over to EPIC holder or his family members only.

Further, discussion on advance preparation on ETPBS/Postal Ballot paper as per the ECI instructions to service voters and to ensure all eligible service electors exercise their constitutional right to vote while performing their duty for the nation and to provide the Postal ballot facilities to categories of voters entitled to vote by postal ballot were held. CEO directed the RO & Nodal Officers(ETPBS) to complete all activities well in advance on Postal Ballot preparation. He also directed the Postal Department to appoint a Nodal Officer for handling Postal Ballots in an efficient and systematic manner.

The meeting was attended by Returning Officer, ANIPC, Shri Arjun Sharma, IAS, Joint Chief Electoral Officer, A&N Islands, Shri Dilkhush Meena, IAS, Nodal Officer (ETBPS), Shri Azharuddin Zahiruddin Quazi, IAS, District Nodal Officer, Ms Nandini Maharaj, IAS and Dy. Superintendent of Post (HQ), A&N Islands, Shri Prabhakar Soreng.