State Election Commissioner (SEC) PC Dalei reviewed the election preparations for civic body polls in different districts in discussion with the Collectors through video conferencing here on Friday. The district collectors informed Dalei in detail about arrangements made for conducting peaceful urban body polls in their respective districts.
They informed the SEC that works like establishing polling centers, various arrangements related to voting and counting, setting up of strong room, distribution of election materials, training of polling teams and commissioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) has been completed in their respective districts.
Discussing about Panchayat elections they said that appointments of returning officers and assistant returning officer have been done. Filing of nominations for Panchayat polls would be done as per scheduled declared by State Election Commission and prior to that training of assistant returning officers and returning officers will be completed.
During the meeting District Election Officer of North Bastar (Kanker) informed about shortage of EVMs over which the SEC ordered concern officers to take appropriate steps. “Panchayats are an important links of democratic system and its election process is also very vast. Therefore it needs good planning and district election officers should make proper arrangements in this connection,” Dalei said.
Over directives for shifting polling centers in Naxal infested areas, the SEC said prior to the declaring of election dates at local level (that is 31st December 2014) district election officer is empowered to take decision in this regard. Once model code of conduct comes to effect, directives issued by election commission should be followed and permission of the commission is required to change place of any such centre.
He directed officers to ensure that model code of conduct is seriously followed. Secretary SEC IR Dehri and other officer were also present.