Holds Meeting with Local Representatives of Political Parties and Officials

Port Blair, Feb 16: The Director, Panchayat and Municipal Elections, A&N Islands, Shri Suneel Anchipaka, IAS accompanied by the Officer In-Charge (Elections) is on a visit to the Shaheed Dweep to take first hand stock of the arrangements and preparedness for the ensuing Panchayat Elections.

During the visit he held a meeting with the local representatives of the political parties, officials of line departments, Police and urged their cooperation in conducting the elections in a free and fair manner. He further reviewed the Model Mode of Conduct (MCC) with the Police and Sector Officers wherein it was informed by them that there has been no case of MCC violations till date, the DPME appreciated the same. He further requested all concerned to ensure COVID protocols as per the guidelines issued by the Election Commission for UTs in letter and spirit and reiterated that any violation in this regard shall be dealt severely. The queries related to different forms to be used during the elections were raised by the representatives of the political parties and the same was also replied by the DPME. During the interaction some local issues related to ferry and health services were also raised, to which he assured early redressal of the same.

Later the DPME along with officials of the line departments inspected the Polling Stations at Shaheed Dweep to review the Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs). He issued specific instructions to the concerned officials of the line departments to ensure that the AMFs such as Signage, Help Desk, Ramp, Toilets, Drinking Water, Separate Entry and Exit, Lighting, and Furniture as specified by the Election Commission should be made ready for the smooth conduct of the polling

During his stay at Shaheed Dweep an emergency patient was also evacuated from Shaheed Dweep to Port Blair under his supervision for which the government ferry for Swaraj Dweep was diverted back to Port Blair and the passengers bound for Swaraj Dweep were shifted in the private vessel for their journey to Swaraj Dweep.

The DPME also made visits to the school at Shaheed Dweep and interacted with the children. He urged the local populace to come forward and exercise their franchise to their elect representatives in the upcoming elections.