The election officers of Dehradun have given presentation to the observers of the Election Commission of India on Saturday, giving full details of how they are gearing up to ensure a free and fair election. Dehradun election officer Ravinath Raman informed the observers that all the basic and necessary facilities have been provided at all the polling centres spread across the district.
Raman said that essential basic facilities have been provided at each polling booth of the district. Vulnerable and critical areas have been identified in the district. The identification of shadow area wherein electricity, mobile and internet services are poor or irregular has been done.
In those areas where election officials may face difficulties to reach their assigned polling stations due to poor road and route connectivity has been identified, he said. Sensitive polling booths on account of rain/snowfall in Chakrata and Mussoorie have been identified too, he said, adding that the polling booths which are sensitive on account of law and order have been marked.
Taking note of all such challenges an alternative and appropriate steps have been taken to complete the election unbiased, free and fair in the district, said Raman, adding that teams of static, electronic
surveillance and expenditure monitoring have been formed and they have been directed
to be vigilant at their assigned areas.
An awareness campaign Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) has been launched in a broad way across the district and voters are being motivated to use their voting rights to select right candidates. ‘Doon Voter Express’, a voters’ awareness van has been launched, he informed.
Voters of rural and urban areas are being made aware of the importance of voting in a participatory democracy. Apart from this, Dehradun Mobile App Google play store has been developed. One can learn about the polling centres they would vote from, serial number in the electoral list and booths’ location after one puts his photo identity card number in Mobile APP Google play store. Voter’s list and polling stations have been stored in mobile app Google play store, he informed.
Raman said that special focus has been laid on the Chakrata rural area from Tyuni to Himachal border to prevent illegal supply of liquor and drugs. Administrative and police officers have been directed to be vigilant on anti- social elements around the border areas sharing boundary with neighbouring States and districts.
SSP Sweety Aggarwal said that to prevent illegal activities a coordination meeting with the police officers of neighbouring States has been made and inter-State border checking, inter-district border checking and other checking posts have been made. In security point of view, district has been divided into zone and sectors, Raman said.
On the occasion, each returning officer of all the assembly constituencies have given their presentation regarding number of voters, vulnerable areas, candidates and others for around five minutes. ECI’s observers directed the election officers to lay focus on preventing illegal activities in areas like Tyuni of Chakrata areas, Himachal border areas, Paonta Sahib, Vikasangar and Saharanpur border areas. The observers stressed on illegal activities going on through Yamuna river area of Vikasnagar due to low water level being stopped.