RO calls upon officials engaged in Election Duty to discharge their duties with utmost sincerity for free, fair & transparent election in ANIPC

Port Blair, April 9: As part of the preparations for the ensuing General Elections -2024, the third and final round training for the Presiding Officers and the Polling Officers was organised at Dr. B. R Ambedkar Institute of Technology (DBRAIT) auditorium here today. The Presiding Officers & Polling Officers engaged in Election duty for Port Blair Tehsil attended the training. Returning Officer, ANIPC/DC (SA), Shri Arjun Sharma, IAS and other officials related to Election Training were present on the occasion.

In his address, the Returning Officer, ANIPC reminded the role & responsibilities of Presiding Officers and his entire team manning the Polling Booth for the smooth conduct of Polling on the day of election i.e. April 19, 2024. He further stated that this is the last round of training for the POs and Polling Officials and hoped that by now they are confident enough to discharge their duties & responsibilities on the Poll Day for the smooth, fair, free and transparent election in Andaman Nicobar Islands Parliamentary Constituency (ANIPC).

The RO further stated that Mock Poll should start in all the Polling Stations from 5.30 am without fail. The Office of the Returning Officer will collect two hourly report of the Polling in ANIPC. He said, EVMs and VVPAT machines have to be handled with extra care and the PO should inform about the non-functioning of EVMs and VVPAT machines, if any, to Sector Officer immediately (who will be moving with ECIL Engineer) for urgent rectification of the EVM issue and replacement of the EVM machine, if required. The RO said, the Presiding Officers should ensure that Polling should close in all the Polling Station in ANIPC sharp at 6 pm.

The RO said, those participants who still wish to train themselves in EVM can contact the Master Trainers at District Office and practice hands on EVM at ‘EVM Demonstration Centre’ functioning at District Office. While stating that there cannot be an important exercise than election for healthy democracy, the RO called upon all officials engaged in Election Duty to work with co-ordination and discharge their duties with utmost responsibility and sincerity for free, fair and transparent election in ANIPC.

Initiating the training, the Resource person, Shri Som Naidu, DANICS (Retd.), Presiding Officers should follow scrupulously the prescribed election procedures to conduct the poll in a flawless manner at the Polling Station. He also clarified doubts by the participants on Postal Ballot, Test Vote, challenged vote etc.

Later, a hands on training on EVM and VVPAT machine was carried out by the Master Trainers.