There should not be any laxity in the preparations for Lok Sabha elections 2024. Be alert for peaceful, fair and fear-free voting. Prepare a list at the police station level of those who try to influence voters during elections, including criminals, anti-social elements and miscreants, and ensure that action is taken against them by keeping a strict vigil. By the next 15th, the officers should complete their allotted tasks and submit the report. The instructions were issued by the Chief Electoral Officer, Jharkhand, K Ravi Kumar, who was reviewing the preparations for Lok Sabha elections in Dhanbad, Bokaro, Giridih and Deoghar districts on Saturday in Dhanbad.
The CEO gave strict instructions to the district administration and police officials to remain alert with the aim of conducting peaceful, clean, fair and fear-free elections. He directed all the officers to speed up the election work with coordination.
Kumar and State Police Nodal Officer AV Homkar directed for strict monitoring to curb the movement of illicit liquor, narcotics, weapons, explosives and other prohibited items. They also directed successful efforts to stop the influx/distribution of free goods, intensify the raid operations and take strict action against the accused involved in various scandals and recovery of illegal materials. He directed to revise the list of critical and vulnerable polling stations and to deploy security forces in every possible area.
The CEO said that the elections have to be celebrated as a great festival of the country. Work keeping in mind the safety and convenience of the security personnel, polling personnel and voters engaged in voting work. He said that the vehicles engaged in election work should be managed in a timely manner. While managing the vehicles, keep in mind that the common people do not face any problem in transportation and there is no curfew-like atmosphere on the day of voting. This time, people have to go to vote with their family members in an atmosphere of enthusiasm, hence special care has to be taken. That normal life should not be affected on the day of voting.
He said that as per the instructions of the ECI, this time voting will be held from 7 am to 5 pm i.e. throughout the day at all the polling stations in Jharkhand. All polling stations will also be monitored from the headquarters and commission level through webcasting. Guidelines have been given by the Commission to all the officials in this regard to ensure that there is no scope for any kind of error in the election work. This has to be strictly followed from time to time. He said that the officials should not just give the action plan, they should report on the compliance of the orders of the Commission in the preparations for the elections on the ground.
Instructed to conduct intensive investigation at inter-state and inter-district check posts, said that the check posts are being monitored through CCTV. So make sure to keep a special eye on them.
The State Police Nodal Officer directed to launch a campaign against all history-sheeters and kingpins and arrest them. He said that the safety of everyone including the polling party, EVMs, voters, security forces will be the first priority for all of us and should not be taken up in the routine work of election work. If even one incident occurs, the responsibility of the criminals as well as the officials will be fixed.
Instructions were given to take seizure action against fugitives and criminals hiding at various places.
Chief Electoral Officer and State Police Nodal Officer said to activate the social media cell. Take action on objectionable and fake news within eight minutes.
In the review meeting, Chief Electoral Officer K. Ravi Kumar, State Police Nodal Officer A.V. Homkar, CRPF IG Rakesh Aggarwal, Additional Chief Electoral Officer Sandeep Singh along with Commissioner of North Chotanagpur Division, DIG CRPF, IG of Dumka Zone along with District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner of Dhanbad, Bokaro, Giridih and Deoghar districts, Superintendent of Police, CRPF. All the senior officials related to the Lok Sabha elections including the Commandant were present.
