Port Blair, Feb 6: Shri. Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director (Panchayat and Municipal Elections) reviewed and took stock of the preparedness for the ensuing Panchayat and Municipal Elections with all Assistant Commissioner(s), Tehsildar(s), Nodal Officer(s) of Forest Department, Nodal Officer(s) designated with various works related to Elections as well as the Returning Officers/Assistant Returning Officers through Video Conferencing.
During the interactions all aspects related to the preparatory arrangements regarding contingency plans for transportation of men & materials, Assured Minimum facilities available at all Polling Stations, communication plans, Distribution centre, collection centre, strong rooms, counting centre of each constituencies etc were discussed in brief.
The DPME reviewed in detail the strategy to be implemented during the enforcement of Model Code of Conduct to curb misuse of money/drugs/liquor & freebies distribution during the election. He urged all the Nodal Officer to attach maximum importance to ensuring conducive environment for free and fair elections in the UTs. Effective monitoring and vigilance should be ensured. Concerns at each level should be addressed. All Nodal Officers and Returning Officers have been asked to make comprehensive action plans so as to instill absolute confidence in all stakeholders.
The Director (Panchayat and Municipal Elections) further briefed that Election Commission (UTs) has directed the electoral machinery of the Islands to gear up with logistics arrangements and urged everyone to gear up all the preparatory arrangements and report completion within two days time for appraisal of the Election Commission (UTs).
He further reiterated that the procedures to be scrupulously followed for smooth conduct of elections are based on the operational focus on management. All other action, hinges on the need to ensure that these are implemented effectively. The DPME also took note of the concerns of all Nodal Officers for holding free, fair and peaceful elections
Earlier in the day, the Director (Panchayat and Municipal Elections) held a meeting with all the Head of Departments/Head of Offices and discussed the issues and arrangements regarding deployment of Polling Officers and Security Personnel for the ensuing Elections.
It was briefed that the deployment of Polling Personnel shall be done through ONLINE module and each department shall appoint Nodal Officers who shall coordinate and upload and furnish the information related to staff of the department to the Office of the Director, P&M Elections.
The Director (Panchayat and Municipal Elections) urged for effective cooperation from all HODs/HOOs and informed them that the back-end preparations for the upcoming elections are underway in full swing.