Special observers, CEO confer with DEOs, SPs
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 11 2022: Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur along with general, police and expenditure special observers on Friday held an interactive session with district election officers (DEOs) and superintendent of police (SPs) of five districts which are going to the polls in the first phase on March 3.The interactive session held in hybrid mode was attended by general, police and expenditure observers deployed in the five districts.

Special General observer for Manipur Pravir Krishna (retired IAS), Special Police observer Arun Kumar, (retired IPS) and Special Expenditure observer Rajesh Tuteja (former IRS(IT) briefed the observers, DEOs and SPs on ways to conduct election to the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly effectively as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India.

The special observers apprised the at endees on randomisation of polling personnel, necessity of double checking of electoral rolls to make it accurate and fool-proof and effective utilisation of Central Armed Police Force to be deployed during the poll days among others.

Suggestions were also sought from observers, DEOs and SPs in which some observers shared their views on the preparedness.

CEO Rajesh Agrawal also assured that all possible efforts would be taken up to conduct the election effectively and to uphold the credibility of the Election Commission.

On Thursday, Special General Observer Pravir Krishna, Special Police Observer Arun Kumar and Special Expenditure Observer Rajesh Tuteja also held meeting with District Election Officer (DEO) Kengoo Zuringla and district officials at the Conference Hall of the DC Complex, Kangpokpi to facilitate smooth conducts of ensuing election in the district.

The team of special observers tasked to objectively assess the poll preparedness, identify the critical gaps and guide the electoral machinery in the field to ensure impartial, inducement free, peaceful and Covid safe elections, reviewed the district's preparedness ahead of the first phase voting on February 28.The observers highlighted the need to seal the border areas and check vehicles entering the district in addition to advising the district officials to provide proper fodding and lodging facilities to the CAPF personnel deployed for election duty.

The observers also asked the election team to carry out randomization of the polling personnel for free and fair election and recommended special arrangements to ensure easy accessibility in communication for those polling personnel assigned election duty in far-flung polling stations.

It is worth mentioning here that Pravir Krishna had been General Observer earlier in Manipur while Arun Kumar was the CAPF Coordinator in 2015 Bihar elections and Rajesh Tuteja worked as Director Investigations in Himachal Pradesh and Haryana and also associated earlier with elections in Punjab, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.

Comment