Kamjong gears up for 18th Lok Sabha polls
Source: Chronicle News Service /R Lester Mamang
Ukhrul, April 03 2024:
District Election Office of Kamjong district is gearing up to conduct the forthcoming 18th Lok Sabha elections in the Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency.
"We are making all necessary preparations to conduct the second phase of the polls on April 26 in the lone assembly constituency of Phungyar AC.
This will be the first time for Kamjong to conduct elections separately as a district," Kamjong DEO/DC Rangnamei Rang Peter told media persons in an interaction held in Ukhrul town on Monday.
Stressing the importance of ethical voting, he encouraged all eligible voters to participate in the electoral process and exercise their franchise, stating that casting votes in a fair and peaceful manner can ensure successful conduct of elections.
The DEO has also highlighted the activities, preparedness and progress made by the nodal officers responsible for the election.
Careful planning and efforts have been undertaken to ensure smooth and secure election process in Phungyar AC, he added.
Peter stated that the first round of training for polling personnel and Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) randomisation for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections has been successfully conducted, while adding that the second round of EVM randomisation and the commissioning of EVMs will take place on April 5 .
There will also be 14 pink polling stations, which will be manned entirely by women, and one model polling station at Phungyar Higher Secondary School, he informed.
Peter also disclosed that the Chatric Khullen School, which usually serves as a polling station, will be relocated to a community hall after discussions with political parties.
The DEO has identified five critical and five vulnerable polling stations in the district, including Matiyang Polling Station.
As part of the Systematic Voter's Education and Electoral participation (SVEEP) programme, efforts have been made to raise awareness about the importance of voting.
Pamphlets have been distributed in the local Tangkhul language and a district Icon appointed for effective enhance impact of the programme, he mentioned.
The Kamjong DEO also mentioned that to ensure a smooth election process, over 100 vehicles have been requisitioned for poll-related duties.
In terms of security measures, two companies of the Border Security Force (BSF) have already stationed at Kasom Khullen and additional resources have been requested, including 15 sections of women security personnel and six companies of the state forces.
Additionally, 28 unarmed women and 96 unarmed male security personnel will also be deployed, he conveyed.
According to the DEO, the distribution of election duty certificates to polling personnel has commenced and a second round of training is tentatively set for April 13.Additionally, efforts have been made to implement the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in the district.
This year, Phungyar AC has a total of 34,907 registered voters, with 730 being first-time voters, 237 persons with disabilities (PWD), and 629 individuals aged 80 or above, he added.