EC holds meeting with district officials and ROs

Shimla, Nov 17 (UNI) A three-member team of the Election Commission (EC) today reviewed preparations for the second phase of elections for the remaining 65 constituencies of Himachal Pradesh which will go to the polls on December 19, state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manisha Nanda said.

The team, comprising Commissioner Naveen Chawla, Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakrishanan and Secretary K F Wilfred, held meetings with deputy commissioners and SPs of Shimla, Solan and Sirmuar districts besides SDMs-cum returning officers (ROs), assistant returning officer (AROs), tehsildars and other officers.

Emphasising the need for effective sealing of the borders, Ms Nanda said the commissioner advised the DCs and the SPs of the three districts to remain vigilant against cross border movement of illicit liquor and anti-social elements during the elections.

She said Mr Chawla also stressed on the need for vulnerability mapping and a quick response system on various complaints to ensure that weaker sections of society were not prevented from exercising their right to franchise, besides keeping track of advertisements in the media.

The Deputy Election Commissioner (DEC) and secretary imparted comprehensive training on various aspects of election procedures, like the filing of nominations, scrutiny and withdrawal, symbol allotment, qualifications and disqualifications, she said.

The CEO said the DEC also discussed at length other relevant issues like strict implementation of the model code of conduct, EVM training and awareness, need to check the problem of dual registration of voters in the rolls and any possibility of double voting.

UNI