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Himachal Chief Electoral Office (CEO) Maneesh Garg on Tuesday chaired a meeting of all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) cum District Election Officers (DEOs) on poll preparedness virtually  and directed the DEO’s for accelerating the updation process of enrollment of new voters and completing it in a time bound manner. Besides, the CEO emphasized on timely delivery of Elector’s Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) as well. 

As of now the total number of new electors from 10th May, 2023 till date has been reported as 181509. The total number of EPIC cards distributed so far is 167135, he said. He also asked the DEOs to ensure the actual deliverance of voter’s cards from the postal department regularly.

Garg also directed to ensure hundred percent availability of Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) to facilitate the voters including provisions of ramps, toilets, clean drinking water facilities at all polling stations.   He also directed the DEOs to identify the polling stations for webcasting in accordance with the Election Commission of India (ECI) recommendations and also work out the places where due to lack of internet or connectivity issues webcasting was not possible. The critical Polling Stations where webcasting is not possible due to connectivity issues, proper videography should be done, he remarked. It was also emphasized to ensure that the storage and security protocol for all categories of EVMs to be adhered to as per the ECI instructions.

The CEO said that keeping in consideration the bye-polls being held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections, a complete list of counting places, strong rooms, post counting storage of EVMs etc should be provided to the CEO office latest by 10th April.  He also directed to complete the data entry of polling personnel in Nextgen District Information System for Education (DISE) software by 10th April and the first randomization process between 13th to 15th April.

Garg also asked to identify one ‘Green Polling Booth’ in every district with eco-friendly material and exhibiting local Culture and Art. The details of polling stations to be managed by women, youth and those by Persons with Disability (PwD) were also taken from the Deputy Commissioners. As per details there were 150 women managed polling stations, 28 PwD and 54 youth managed polling stations are proposed to be set up in the State.

Besides this there will be around four model polling stations in each assembly segment for which DEOs were asked to send proposals accordingly. Additional CEOs Dalip Negi and Neelam Dulta were also present in the meeting.