Chandigarh: Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab Sibin C on Wednesday chaired a meeting through video conference with all the Deputy Commissioners- cum- District Election Officers, Commissioner of Police and Senior Superintendent of Police of Punjab to discuss issues and review the progress of preparations with regard to conduct of upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024 in the state.
During the meeting, the CEO Sibin C reviewed the arrangements about polling stations, deployment of polling staff, vulnerable mapping, Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) activities, webcasting, CRPF deployment, communication plan, interstate border as well as law and order situation among other arrangements to conduct a free and fair elections in the state.
During the meeting, the status of various activities such as the EPIC, voters information, webcasting, EVM storage and transporting, check on fake news, identification of vulnerable polling areas, setting up more Model polling booths, law and order situation were reviewed and taken up with each district.
The district officials have informed the CEO about the various activities and initiatives being taken by them to achieve the goal of 'Iss Vaar 70 Paar' in the elections. They reiterated their commitment to following all guidelines and practices prescribed by the ECI to conduct transparent and smooth elections.
The CEO also enjoined upon the concerned to take adequate measures to mitigate the heat stroke to the polling staff through various measures at the training venue, dispersal centres, polling stations and collection centres. He asked the staff to make provision of shade, drinking water, waiting area, good quality toilets for all staff at the polling stations and counting centres.
The CEO informed that a notification will be issued on May 7 for the seventh and last phase of voting in the state on the June 1.
CEO apprised all the officials that the Election Commission is monitoring the progress of preparations of all activities and exhorted them to work with utmost coordination to complete all assigned tasks related to the conduct of the elections within prescribed timelines.
On the occasion Special Director General of Police Law and Order Arpit Shukla, Additional DGP cum State Police Nodal officer Mohammed Farooqui, Additional CEOs Harish Nayar and Abhijeet Kaplish, Joint CEO Sakkatar Singh Bal and other officials from the office of CEO were present in the meeting.