Kaithal administration forms 66 panels
Kaithal, August 20
The Kaithal administration has geared up its preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections and constituted 66 committees for conducting elections smoothly and in a transparent manner.
Giving details, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Dr Vivek Bharti said that committees were formed to monitor the election process in all four Assembly segments of the district, including Kaithal, Pundri, Guhla, and Kalayat.
Four account teams, four expenditure observer teams, 16 teams of video surveillance, four teams of video viewing teams, 12 of flying squad and 26 of static surveillance teams, he added. While interacting with mediapersons, he said eligible voters could register to vote till September 2. The district has 7,605 differently-abled voters and 10,803 elderly voters over the age of 85, who have the option to vote either from their homes or at polling stations. To avail this option, they must inform the election office in advance, he added.
The DC said with the announcement of the Assembly elections, the model code of conduct (MCC) has come into effect in the district.To ensure compliance, the District Development and Panchayat Officer has been appointed as the nodal officer. Teams under the supervision of Returning Officer (RO) concerned have been formed in all Assembly segments.
The Election Commission has set a maximum expenditure limit of Rs 40 lakh for each candidate, he added.
The DC further said 807 polling booths had been set up across the four Assembly constituencies in the district. The Guhla constituency has 199 booths, with 42 in urban areas and 157 in rural areas. The Kalayat constituency has 209 booths, with 27 in urban areas and 182 in rural areas. The Kaithal constituency has 215 booths, of which 106 are in urban areas and 109 in rural areas. The Pundri constituency has 184 booths, with 13 in urban areas and 171 in rural areas. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been appointed at all booths.
Dr Bharti said as of August 2, the district has a total of 8,20,560 voters. Guhla constituency has 1,93,065 voters, including 1,01,956 men, 92,102 women, and 7 third-gender voters. The Kalayat constituency has 2,15,155 voters, including 1,14,113 men, 1,01,040 women, and second third-gender voters. Kaithal constituency has 2,20,459 voters, including 1,15,566 men, 1,04,892 women and one third-gender voter. The Pundri constituency has 1,91,881 voters, including 1,01,167 men, 90,712 women, and two third-gender voters, the DC added.
Dr Bharti said separate counting centres would be established for all Assembly constituencies. For the Guhla constituency, the counting centre would be in the auditorium hall of Indira Gandhi Women College and for the Pundri constituency, it would be in the common room of the same college. The counting centre for the Kaithal constituency would be in the hall of RKSD College and for the Kalayat constituency, it would be in the hall of RKSD Public School, he added.
Later, the DC held a meeting with the representatives of various political parties at the Mini-Secretariat. He said all political parties must strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections. He appealed to all political parties to avoid activities that could disrupt social harmony or incite tension between communities. Dr Bharti also instructed that meetings and rallies should be held only in designated areas and permission for the use of loudspeakers should be obtained in advance. He requested that all political parties cooperate with the administration and ensure strict compliance with the model code.
Permission in advance for use of loudspeaker
Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Dr Vivek Bharti also instructed that meetings and rallies should be held only in designated areas and permission for the use of loudspeakers should be obtained in advance. He requested that all political parties cooperate with the administration and ensure strict compliance with the model code.
