P S Walia Kapurthala
Kapurthala, April 29
Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Amit Kumar Panchal on Monday chaired a meeting with all nodal officers to assess the preparations and arrangements being put in place for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
Reviewing the poll preparedness here at District Administrative Compex, Deputy Commissionet Amit Kumar Panchal said that appropriate measures should be ensured for smooth and seamless polls. He also emphasised that coordinated approach of enforcement agencies was must to keep a close check on suspicious activities as well as flow of liquor, unaccounted cash and illegal practices across the district. He also directed all the Assistant Returning Officers and Deputy Superintendents of Police for joint efforts to maintain law & order resulting in free, fair and peaceful elections.
It is informed in the meeting that the printing of Voter Information Slips is under progress and the same would be provided to AROs and further to BLO after keeping a proper record. Deputy Commissioner pointed out that the requisite formalities should be done well in advance for randomisation of EVMs scheduled for May 2. He also took status of ongoing training to be given to poll staff at all four assembly segments. The first training of polling staff would be held on May 5, said Panchal adding that the second trading would take place on May 25 while the final rehearsal is to be carried out on May 31 at respective dispatch centres. The District Administration has setup four training locations for polling staff namely Guru Nanak Prem Karamsar College, Nadala for Bholath constituency. Similarly, training to polling staff for Kapurthala segment will be imparted at Auditorium of local Virsa Vihar while staff for Sultanpur Lodhi to get training at Akal Academy School. Likewise, at Phagwara training would be imparted at Guru Nanak College, Sukhchainana Sahib. Panchal also mentioned that proper sitting arrangements, potable water, medical kits, provision of shade, waiting area, public conveniences, adequate electricity arrangements should be ensured.
So far, as many as 4079 PWD voters registered besides there are 10900 voters having age above 85 years. Panchal said sufficient number of staff had been deployed for smooth conduct of polling and counting in the district. It was also informed that there were total 791 polling stations in the district.
Pertinently, of total four assembly segments Kapurthla and Sultanpur Lodhi are fallen in Lok Sabha constituency Khadoor Sahib. Likewise, Bholath and Phagwara are part of Hoshiarpur Lok Sabha constituency. The counting of Phagwara and Bholath will take place at Hoshiarpur whereas votes of Kapurthala and Sultanpur Lodhi would be counted at Virsa Vihar, Kapurthala. The administration has deputed 1582 volunteers with arrangement of 535 wheel chairs to facilitate the voters at polling stations.
SSP Vatsala Gupta directed the police officials to ensure meticulous security arrangements vis-a-vis keeping a close check on suspicious activities. She said that district police along with para military forces were working round the clock for ensuring free and fair elections.
Prominent amongst those attended the meeting ADC (G) Shikha Bhagat, SP (Hqrs) Gurpreet Singh, all Sub Divisional Magistrates, DSPs, Election Tehsildar Manjit Kaur and nodal officers from concerned departments.
