SRINAGAR: In anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar will lead a team from the Election Commission of India (ECI) on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Mar 12.
The visit aims to assess the election preparedness of the Union Territory and ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process.
Government sources told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that during their stay, ECI officials are scheduled to engage with various stakeholders, including representatives of political parties, and civil and police administration across both divisions of Jammu and Kashmir. This comprehensive review will help evaluate the state of readiness and address any concerns ahead of the elections.
Chief Secretary Atal Dullu recently convened a meeting with civil and police administration officials, emphasizing the paramount importance of conducting free and fair elections with extensive public participation. He urged officials to implement necessary measures to facilitate voters and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
Among the directives issued by Chief Secretary Dullu was the strict adherence to ECI guidelines, with special emphasis on providing essential facilities such as toilets, ramps, electricity, drinking water, and furniture at all polling stations. These measures, as per the ECI officials, are crucial to guaranteeing accessibility and convenience for voters across the Union Territory.
Furthermore, Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole outlined several initiatives aimed at enhancing electoral literacy, including awareness campaigns in educational institutions and the appointment of campus ambassadors. Additionally, logistical challenges such as connectivity issues at polling stations and transport arrangements for electoral machinery and staff were addressed during the meeting.