KUPWARA: To review election preparedness ahead of the Assembly elections in Kupwara district on October 1st, the District Election Officer (DEO), Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan convened a review meeting cum interactive session with Zonal Magistrates, Sector Magistrates, and Sector Police officers at meeting Hall of DC Office Complex here today.
The session aimed to ensure a robust election process and emphasized the critical role these officers play in upholding the integrity of the electoral process.
The DEO stressed the importance of strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct and instructed the magistrates to ensure impartiality in their duties. She highlighted the need to monitor and address any instances of electoral malpractice and reporting to concerned quarters well in time.
She said that Magistrates are vital to the smooth functioning of assembly elections, ensuring that the democratic process is carried out efficiently, securely, and fairly on poll day and prior to polls.
She further said that their responsibilities are integral to the electoral process especially in maintaining law and order situation and addressing any issue that may arise at the polling stations.
The DEO also called on the officers to remain vigilant and be in sync with the latest protocols and procedures mandated by the Election Commission of India (ECI).
She said that in case of any significant issues, such as malfunctioning of EVMs, disruption of the voting process, or law and order disturbances, Magistrates are first emergency responders and they have to take immediate action and report to higher election authorities.
She further said that Magistrates act as a point of contact between polling officials at polling stations and Election authorities, besides this they will have to establish contacts and have close coordination with all agencies of the concerned area.
DEO directed concerned magistrates to visit all their allotted polling stations by tomorrow and take first hand appraisal of AMFs, security concerns and other shortcomings if any and report back. She emphasized that submission of 2-hourly error free voter turnout reports are very crucial for magistrates on the day of poll.
Sameer Jan, Special Nodal officer elections provided insights to the Magistrates for a seamless voting process on the day of the election and prior to election. He stressed them to participate in the training regarding familiarization of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and other processes without any fail.
