To conduct the Lok Sabha elections 2024 in a peaceful, clean, fair and fear-free manner, the district administration and police administration of all the districts should prepare an action plan in mutual coordination and work in a timely manner. Responsibilities have been fixed at all levels by the Election Commission of India, whose 100 per cent compliance is expected. Working accordingly will definitely yield better results, said Chief Electoral Officer, Jharkhand, K Ravi Kumar on Saturday.

The CEO was reviewing the election management and preparedness at the Collectorate Auditorium located at the Divisional Headquarters of Palamu along with the District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and other senior officials of Palamu, Garhwa, Latehar and Chatra districts of Palamu Lok Sabha constituency.

Kumar directed the Superintendent of Police of Chatra district to launch a campaign and arrest the named accused in his area, take action against banned narcotics and illegal liquor and submit a report in the next review meeting to be held in Hazaribagh.

The Chief Electoral Officer directed to ensure availability of all minimum facilities at all polling stations by March 27. He said that social media posts need to be monitored closely. He directed to keep other cells including social media cell, control room, traffic management, resource management, postal ballot, training, MCMC active.

Be strict by activating all the check posts in the districts, he directed to completely stop the movement of illegal liquor and weapons by appointing adequate force and magistrates and carrying out an intensive investigation campaign and to conduct surprise inspections at all check posts and monitor their implementation.

State Police Nodal Officer AV Homkar directed to ensure necessary arrangements by keeping a strict vigil on the sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations identified in the districts. Assessing the deployment of adequate numbers of CRPF and police forces at sensitive polling stations, he directed to work on zero risk principle. He said that along with conducting the voting, the safety of EVMs, voters and polling parties is the first priority of all of us. Traffic arrangements for polling parties and essential services should be maintained at polling stations and clusters in difficult areas.

He directed to strictly follow all the guidelines related to maintenance of law and order in election work, including point-wise analysis of the arrangements from dispatch center to cluster and strong room to polling station.

In the meeting, instructions were given to ensure provision of pure drinking water at polling stations on polling day. In polling stations where there is a problem of drinking water, instructions were given to ensure drinking water supply through tankers and storage, so that voters can get convenience. Also, instructions were given to make the toilet functional.

Provide the facility of medical kit for the polling personnel, so that their first aid is possible.

In the light of election work, arrangements for permanent and temporary helipads should be improved. Do joint practice of this, so that it can be used in polling parties and emergency services. Make joint efforts for this from now on.

In the review meeting, State Police Nodal Officer A. V. Homkar, CRPF IG Rakesh Aggarwal, Additional Chief Electoral Officer, Jharkhand Neha Arora, Palamu Divisional Commissioner Bal Kishun Munda, Palamu area IG Narendra Kumar Singh, DIG CRPF Pankaj Kumar along with Palamu, Garhwa, Latehar of Palamu Lok Sabha constituency and senior officials related to Lok Sabha elections including Chatra District District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police were present.