EC to review poll preparedness on Friday, Saturday

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission, as part of its preparations for the upcoming general election, will review poll preparedness with chief electoral officers (CEOs) of all states and Union territories on Friday and Saturday.

Among the issues likely to be discussed are electoral rolls, polling station arrangements, security management, voter education, use of IT applications to facilitate voters and other logistics.

The Commission will also discuss the takeaways and learnings from the recent polls in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram, Rajasthan and Telangana.

During the conference, the CEOs will make their comprehensive presentations of their poll preparedness on all important parameters. “The Commission desires from the CEOs that elections are made totally voter-friendly and accessible for Persons with Disabilities and senior citizens,” said an EC release.

The Commission has already directed the CEOs to build a campaign on various media platforms to register eligible citizens and voters; provide every facility for the search of their names through a website, SMS gateway and through Voter Facilitation Centre at every ERO level. The Commission has also directed all States to activate the voter helpline centre 1950 so that the grievances of the voters are promptly redressed.

During the two-day conference, EC will review the status of facilitation provided to voters by both online and offline methods. The Commission has already given a checklist to all CEOs on each important parameter and a detailed report has been sought from them on each point of a checklist. It will also review the status of vulnerability mapping, security planning, availability of police forces and their requirement during the forthcoming Lok Sabha Election.