Expenditure observers meet Spt, Kpi officials
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 02 2024:
Ahead of the 18th Lok Sabha elections, Dr Bhartendu Kumar Singh, who is expenditure observer for Outer Manipur (ST) parliamentary constituency appointed by the Election Commission of India, chaired a meeting with election expenditure monitoring teams, Senapati comprising assistant expenditure observers, officials of FST, SST, VST, VVT, accounting teams, Media Certification and Monitoring Committee and Complaint Monitoring Con trol Room & Call Centre at the Senapati DC conference hall on Tuesday.
Dr Bhartendu is entrusted to oversee matters related to election expenditure for Outer Manipur (ST) PC consisting of Karong, Mao and Tadubi ST assembly segments under Senapati district.
At the meeting, the expenditure observer advised the team members to carry on with the daily report on time along with informing that inspection relating to election activities will be thoroughly monitored as per the schedule.
He also appealed the gathering to strive for amicable settlement of any outstanding issue in consultation with the political parties concerned.
Dr Bhartendu also expressed satisfaction on activities of the AEOs and their teams so far.
Gaurav K Singh, the other expenditure observers for Outer Manipur PC, stressed the need for expenditure monitoring teams to properly track the expenses and remain vigilant.
In case of any doubt, the AEOs should put forward the same for clarification, he said at the meeting, also attended by Senapati DC/DEO Mamoni Doley, AROs Ningreingam Leisan and PP Ronald (DRDA nodal officer for complaints and voter helpline, Lamgin Singsit (Senapati nodal officer for expenditure monitoring), and other expenditure monitoring team officials.
During their visit to Kangpokpi district on Tuesday to oversee preparation for the upcoming polls, Dr Bhartendu Kumar Singh and Gaurav K Singh were accorded warm welcome by Kangpokpi DEO/DC Mahesh Chaudhari, SP Manoj Prabhakar, and district team members at the DC's office complex.
The observers briefed the DEO and entire district election team on ensuring smooth conduct of election in the district along with taking stock of poll-related expenditure and other preparations being initiated by the Election Expenditure Monitoring team as DEO Mahesh Chaudhari elaborated on on-going activities to both the observers.
Votes will be cast at 166 polling stations and 24 special polling stations in Saikul, Kangpokpi and Saitu ST assembly constituencies for the Outer Manipur (ST) seat.
In Bishnupur district, the second randomisation of polling personnel, a step to ensure the integrity and randomness of election staff assignments, in respect of six assembly segments was held on Tuesday at the conference hall of NIC, Mini Secretariat Complex, Bishnupur.
The randomisation process conducted in the presence of general observer for Inner Manipur PC Dr Patel Dhavalkumar Kritikumar, was also attended by Bishnupur DEO/DC Lourembam Bikram, additional district election officer Hanjabam Bobby Sharma, SDOs and nodal officers of the district.
Meanwhile, the DEO notified that the assembly segment Strong Rooms at Mini Secretariat complex will be opened on April 5 for commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs.
The notice further informed all the contesting candidates or their election agents and recognised national and state political parties functioning within the district to depute two representatives at the time of commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs without fail.
On the other-hand, initiatives to promote electoral literacy and enhance public participation in the electoral process gained momentum in Pherzawl district.
Under the overall guidance of the DEO Asish Das, a series of Systematic Voter's Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programmes were organised at different locations in the district and electoral literacy clubs reactivated in educational institutions in collaboration with Pherzawl ZEO.
Awareness campaigns to inspire prospective voters were organised at Pherzawl Govt HS, Leijangphai Govt HS and Parbung Govt Hr Sec School.
Since the last couple of weeks, the Health Department has been stamping SVEEP messages on OPD tickets of Community Health Centre, Parbung to encourage the people to vote in the ensuing election as ASHA workers mobilised prospective voters to enrol in the voters' list.
Gram Sabha and mass rally were organised in Pherzawl district headquarters and Parbung village to spread voter awareness under the supervision and participation of district officials, CSOs, village chairmen/secretaries and public.
The DEO also collaborated with Manipur State Rural Livelihood Mission in advocating free and fair election among women self-help groups under its projects.