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Baramulla, Apr 2 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) B R Sharma today asked the election officials to strictly adhere to the model code of conduct and ensure fair by-elections in the three Assembly constituencies of Pattan, Rafiabad and Sangrama in Baramulla district.

While reviewing the arrangements at an officers meeting for smooth, free and fair polls to these constituencies, slated to be held on April 24, 2006 here, Mr Sharma added that the election observers would be present in Baramulla from April 6, 2006 till the election process is completed.

He also said besides electronic photo identity cards (EPICS), ration cards, driving licenses, school leaving certificates and state subject certificates would also be accepted for identification of voters.

Mr Sharma asked the political parties to avoid defacement of private and public property and cooperate in the smooth completion of the election process and added that electoral rolls, voter slips and other election related arrangements have been finalized.

Besides Mr Sharma, the district election officer, deputy inspector general, North Kashmir Range, Mr Abdul Hamid and the senior superintendent of police, additional deputy commissioner and other senior officers from the adminstration and police were also present in the meeting.

According to an official spokesman, a hi-teck media centre has been set up in the office of the Baramulla deputy commissioner for the by-elections.

All modern telecom facilities like fax, computer and internet have been provided for quick dissemination of press releases and other informations relating to the by-elections. The fully equipped media centre would be functional from 9 a.m to 6 p.m everyday and its contact numbers were 234035 and 234020, the spokesman added.

The returning officers, assistant returning officers and the election cell have been asked to convey all their press material for election to the media centre so that these could be made available to the media, he said.

UNI RKS PG LR BST1412