The possibility of using technology to spread disinformation through fake news, deep fake videos in the Lok Sabha elections 2024 should be actively taken care of. Media monitoring cells working in all the districts should work in pro-active mode and take immediate action on misleading news as per the prescribed guidelines to stop such news from being circulated. Immediately fact-check the posts circulated on social media. While anticipating the post, strict action is necessary to prevent possible misleading news,” said Chief Electoral Officer K Ravi Kumar while addressing the divisional level review meeting on various points regarding the Lok Sabha elections at Dumka Collectorate on Thursday.
In the meeting, he made a detailed review of the work being done by the officials in preparation for the Lok Sabha elections in Dumka, Godda, Sahibganj, Jamtara, Pakur and Deoghar districts of Santal Pargana division.
He said that 100 per cent compliance should be ensured with the responsibilities set by the Election Commission of India. Understand the seriousness of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 and ensure that all concrete actions are taken to conduct peaceful, clean, fair and fear-free elections. No stone is left unturned in maintaining law and order.
The Chief Electoral Officer directed the concerned officials to make tight security arrangements at the polling stations identified from the security point of view in the districts of Santhal-Pargana division. He directed the police and CRPF officials to coordinate among themselves and conduct intensive raids against the warrantees and arrest them.
Kumar directed intensive checking at the check posts of all the districts and to keep a constant vigil on the inter-state borders through CCTV. He also directed to completely stop the movement of illegal liquor, weapons and illegal cash by running an intensive investigation campaign.
The CEO said that arrangements for medical kits, permanent toilets, running water connections and pure drinking water should be ensured at all polling stations. Along with this, the health of voters and personnel engaged in polling work also has to be taken care of. There will also be arrangements for air ambulance for better medical facilities. In this regard, identify the government and non-government hospitals with higher facilities in their respective areas and assess the arrangements available there and keep them ready for emergency services by removing the shortcomings.
In the review meeting, instructions were given to keep an eye on election activities by keeping various cells active including conducting postal ballot in the Lok Sabha elections in the districts, traffic and vehicle management, resource management, training, monitoring of VIP movement, social media monitoring, communication etc.
State Police Nodal Officer AV Homkar directed to make tight security arrangements at the identified critical and vulnerable polling stations in the districts of Santal Pargana. He said that strict security arrangements have to be made for the safety of the polling party, EVMs and voters. He directed joint exercises to improve the arrangements of the helipad and to do physical verification of the helipad, so that it can be used in polling parties and emergency services.
In the review meeting, CRPF IG Rakesh Aggarwal, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Sandeep Singh, Santal Pargana Divisional Commissioner Lalchand Dadel, STF DIG Inderjit Mahatha and all the district election officers of Santhal Pargana division, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, CRPF Commandant and senior officials related to Lok Sabha elections were present.
