POONCH: To ensure meticulous preparation for the upcoming Assembly Elections 2024, District Election Officer (DEO) Poonch, Vikas Kundal convened a review meeting in the conference hall of the DC Office complex regarding Assured Minimum Facilities in polling stations across Poonch District.
The meeting was attended by the senior district officers including the Superintendent Engineer of PWD Circle Poonch, Returning Officers for constituencies 88-Surankote, 89-Haveli, and 90-Mendhar, the Assistant Commissioner Development Poonch, Chief Education Officer Poonch, Executive Engineers of PWD (R&B) Divisions of Poonch, Surankote and Mendhar as well as all Tehsildars and Block Development Officers of Poonch District.
During the meeting, the District Election Officer thoroughly reviewed the assured minimum facilities to be provided at all the polling stations in the district ensuring the availability of Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) in accordance with the Election Commission of India's guidelines.
The key areas of discussion included voter-friendly accessibility, ramps for voters with disabilities, adequate sanitation facilities, availability of drinking water, reliable electricity supply, and other necessary provisions for both polling staff and voters.
He instructed the attending officers to ensure that safe drinking water facilities with sufficient capacity are mandatorily provided on the day of poll while emphasizing the need for adequate shade arrangements in waiting areas at each polling station with sufficient chairs/benches preferably for ladies, senior citizens, nursing mothers, differently abled voters and children accompanying them.
The polling stations will also have signage that will allow voters and pedestrians at the stations to identify the area where they will cast their votes. Significantly, the polling booths will also have ramps to avoid any snags during the movement of wheelchairs so that those above the age of 85 or with any kind of disability can vote without any obstacles.
With the motto "No voter to be left behind," the DEO affirmed his commitment in promoting an equitable and efficient electoral process. He directed that inspection visits be conducted regularly to verify that all polling stations are equipped with the requisite facilities thereby upholding the administration's dedication to democratic principles and ensuring a conducive environment for free, fair and transparent elections
