CEO reviews poll arrangements in Kargil

Srinagar, Oct 26 (UNI) The political activities in the Ladakh region are yet to pick up as the main parties have not decided their candidates for four Assembly constituencies going to poll in the first phase along with six other Assembly segments on November 17, according to CEO who reviewed poll arrangements in Kargil.

The political parties have yet to gear up in the region, which in the past witnessed over 65 to 80 per cent voting.

Official sources said people of the region were not politically matured enough to elect a representative of their choice despite the fact that majority of them (people) were living in remote and backward areas.

The region never had any impact of the poll boycott call by separatists in the previous Assembly and Parliamentary elections, they said.

The authorities have decided to operate helicopter service for taking the poll material and staff to inaccessible areas in the region.

Meanwhile, State Chief Electoral Officer B R Sharma and Inspector General of Police, (Hqs) P L Gupta visited Kargil and took stock of arrangements of conduct of free, fair and transparent polls in Kargil district scheduled to be held on November 17.

Mr Sharma expressed satisfaction over the arrangements being made for the elections. However, he directed the administration for strict adherence to the Model Code of Conduct to ensure fair poll.

Giving details about the arrangements of elections in the district, the District Election Officer, Kargil Satesh Nehru said 237 polling stations were being established for an electorate of 77,242 in the district. Of those, 158 polling stations will be set up in Kargil Assembly Constituency for an electorate of 56,962 and 79 polling stations in Zanskar Assembly Segment for 20275 voters.

He gave full details about the transport plan, deployment of polling parties to different polling stations, security arrangements, accommodation and arrangements of heating and helicopter sorties to dispatch election material and polling parties to snowbound and inaccessible areas.

The District Election Officer, Kargil also apprised the meeting that 17 Zonal Magistrates and 42 sector Magistrates have been deployed for Kargil and Zanskar Assembly constituencies for conduct of polls.

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