Jammu and Kashmir: Will ensure better experience to voters on day of polling, says EC

Srinagar, August 25

The Jammu and Kashmir Election Department held a meeting of the director level officers under the chairmanship of J&K Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Pandurang K Pole on Saturday, officials said.

An official spokesperson in a statement said the CEO reviewed the overall preparations of the polling stations to ensure smooth and hassle-free conduct of the Assembly election, which are going to be held in three phases beginning September 18.

The spokesperson said the officers from various government departments were present in the crucial meeting, which was held to discuss the assured minimum facilities to be made available at the polling stations.

Pole exhorted upon the officers present to ensure assured minimum facilities (AMFs) across all polling stations. He also directed the officers to send an Action Taken Report along with the geo-tagged photos of the polling stations to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer in a week’s time, the spokesperson said.

There are a total of 11,838 polling stations, including 2,332 in urban and 9,506 in rural areas.

The officers were also directed to ensure drinking water and power supply, including lighting facilities, across all the polling stations which are going to poll on September 18 in first phase.

“The availability of accessible approach roads at various polling stations located in remote areas and at the tough terrain and snow-bound areas across J&K also came under the discussion and it was directed that the Rural Development Department and Housing and Urban Development Department will take required steps in this regard,” the spokesperson noted.

The officers were also directed to take care of ramp construction leading to a particular polling station to facilitate Persons with Disability (PwDs) in voting and sufficient steps should be taken well in advance by the departments, the statement reads.

The availability of booth awareness groups, electoral literacy clubs and voter awareness forums and their roles in attracting various voter groups were also discussed and deliberations were held to strengthen them at the booth level.

Ensuring facilities at polling stations

• Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole urges officers to ensure assured minimum facilities (AMF) across all polling stations
• Officers directed to ensure drinking water and power supply, including lighting facilities, across all polling stations
• Depts issued directions for providing accessible approach roads at various polling stations located in remote areas
•  Officers told to take care of ramp construction leading to a particular polling station to facilitate Persons with Disability