To ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections and to strictly adhere to the directives of the Election Commission of India (ECI), a joint briefing was conducted by District Election Officer (DEO) Vijaya Jadhav, along with Superintendent of Police (SP) Pujya Prakash and DDC Sandip Kumar here on Thursday.
The DEO emphasised on the need for sector magistrates and police officials to meticulously follow the ECI guidelines and execute their duties with full accountability and caution. She announced that all polling stations in the district would have webcasting facilities. Detailed instructions were given regarding the responsibilities at the Dispatch Center (located at Bokaro Ispat Senior Secondary High School, Sector 08B), duties during polling, and post-polling responsibilities. She stressed that sector magistrates and police officials should ensure the safe departure of polling personnel from the dispatch center only after the collection of polling materials.
The DC also instructed sector magistrates to visit their assigned polling stations, verify the availability of polling teams, materials, and security forces, and ensure the proper conduct of mock polls and adherence to the Model Code of Conduct within a 100-meter radius of the polling station. She highlighted the importance of time management and queue management on polling day.
SP Pujya Prakash assured that all necessary preparations have been ensured by the administration. Sector magistrates and police officials must transport polling teams along designated routes without deviation and report directly to their assigned polling centers. They must maintain communication with the district control room and report any issues immediately without panic.
Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) from all assembly constituencies provided information about their respective stay arrangements and intermediate strong rooms. They detailed the post-polling procedure, where sector magistrates and police officials, along with polling teams, will report to the Receiving Center (ITI Modh Bazaar Samiti, Chas) to deposit EVMs, VVPATs, and materials in an orderly manner. For instance, the Gomia constituency has 40 P plus one polling stations, which will be guarded overnight in the intermediate strong room under security forces' surveillance on May 25, and materials will be submitted the following day.
It's noteworthy that voting for the Giridih and Dhanbad parliamentary constituencies is scheduled for May 25, 2024. Accordingly, polling teams led by sector magistrates and police officials will depart from the Dispatch Center at Bokaro Ispat Senior Secondary High School, Sector 08B, on May 24, Friday.
