Imphal, October 06: Dispelling any sort of apprehension against the ongoing exercise of taking photographs of the electorates, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of the State RR Rashmi has categorically stated that it is a mandatory exercise being carried out all over the country at the instruction of the Election Commission of India (ECI) purely for election purpose and nothing else.

'The photo roll exercise is purely for election purpose and the secrecy of the electors would not be compromised.

So there is nothing to be feared about on the part of the electorates to come forward', Rashmi said in an exclusive chat with The Sangai Express today.

He further said that the ongoing exercise of taking photographs of the electorates in connection with preparing their identity cards cannot be stopped and would be continued along with stringent security measures, if needed, since this is an all-India exercise being carried out at the directive of the Election Commission of India.

The photo exercise of electorates was earlier conducted by visiting every households.

But following disruptive instances of snatching cameras and other equipments by unknown persons as well as opposition and threat from some quarters, the exercise is now being carried out at designated polling stations under the vigilant eyes of the security personnel.

Clarifying on any possible connection between the ongoing exercise and the delimitation process, the Chief Election Officer said 'ongoing photo roll exercise does not have any connection with the delimitation process.

It is only for the identification of the electors at the time of poll'.

'By refusing the exercise or intimidating the DCs/SDOs concerned against carrying out the exercise, it is harming the interest of the voters', the CEO said, while explaining that those electorates who could not be photographed in the ongoing exercise would be deleted from the new electoral roll to be prepared.

The CEO informed that 30 percent of the exercise has been completed in the valley and 6.1 percent in the hill areas of the State.

'In all, more than 3 lakhs voters both in the hills and valley areas of the State have been covered so far', the officer said, adding that the exercise is being carried out with even more seriousness.

Regarding security arrangement for smooth conduct of the exercise, the CEO disclosed that tie-up has entered with the General Headquarters of the State Police Department and the SPs concerned have been providing requisite security coverage to three to five teams engaged in the exercise.

Furthermore, the CEO informed that the ongoing photo exercise would be conducted in three rounds, namely 1st round, 2nd round and permanent location, where those who were left out in the first two rounds would be allowed to be photographed at the offices of the DCs/SDOs concerned.

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