The Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole today visited Bandipora district to review the arrangements put in place by the district administration to ensure smooth conduct of upcoming District Development Council (DDC), Panchayat by-elections besides reviewing winter preparedness.
On the occasion Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bandipora, Dr Owais Ahmad informed the Divisional Commissioner about the measures taken by the administration to ensure smooth conduct of the election process.
The DC informed that the polling staff has been dispatched to all the areas including snowbound Gurez for conducting the first phase of elections. He said election training to polling-staff including ROs, AROs has already been concluded while election related material too has been dispatched to far flung areas of the district.
He said all the arrangements for the smooth conduct of District Development Councils (DDC) and Panchayat by-polls have been completed in the district.
Dr Owais informed that 198 Nomination forms have been received for Phase Ist of DDC, Panchayat by-elections while for Phase-II, 89 nomination papers were received.
The meeting discussed threadbare arrangements put in place for the smooth conduct of elections, details of polling stations, polling locations with regard to accessibility, telecom connectivity, infrastructure, transport availability, law and order vulnerability and other related issues.
Transport plan, induction and de-induction of poll parties, communication plan, Training plan, printing of ballot papers etc. were also discussed and necessary instructions were passed for smooth, free and fair conduct of elections.
The Div Com directed the officers to maintain close coordination to ensure smooth conduct of elections.
Earlier, the Div Com also reviewed the winter preparedness in the district and the availability of essential commodities.
The DC informed that adequate arrangements have been put in place to deal with any kind of eventuality in case of inclement weather situation. He also informed that 20 Snow clearance machines have been stationed at different locations in the district including 8 each at Bandipora and Gurez besides 4 at Sumbal.
The Div Com directed the officers of MED to ensure that adequate men and machinery is stationed near inter-district roads, connecting arteries and roads leading to hospitals and at other emergency services so that they can be deployed timely in view of any exigency.
To avoid any eventuality in view of the inclement weather, he directed the officials to establish round the clock Joint Control Rooms (JCRs) to respond swiftly in times of any exigency besides maintaining constant coordination with the MET department for regular weather updates.
He asked the officials to establish a proper grievance redressal mechanism at control rooms for facilitating the public and providing them timely information.
The Div Com on the occasion expressed his satisfaction on the efforts put in place by the administration.