IEP Chandigarh, October 14
Haryana State Election Commissioner, Sh. Dhanpat Singh said that conducting free, transparent and fair elections is a very important task.
“Departments including Police, Health, Power, Excise and Taxation and others should work amicably to ensure peaceful, free and fair poll,” added Sh. Dhanpat Singh, while chairing the state-level meeting with the top official regarding the conduct of general elections of three tiers of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the State held in Panchkula today.
Director General of Police, Sh. P.K Agarwal, top officials of the Education Department, Panchayat Department, Information, Public Relations and Language Department remained present in the meeting.
Sh. Dhanpat Singh said that Panchayat elections are being conducted in different phases in the state. In the second phase, voting will be held in 9 districts namely, Ambala, Charkhi Dadri, Gurugram, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Rewari, Rohtak, Sirsa and Sonipat.
In these districts, voting for members Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti will be held on November 9, and on November 12 polls for the posts of Sarpanch and Panch will be held, shared Sh. Dhanpat Singh.
The State Election Commissioner said that with the election announcement, the model code of conduct has come into force in the rural areas of the above nine districts with immediate effect. There will be a complete ban on the transfer of officers or employees deputed for election duty.
He further informed that the state government cannot announce any new schemes, new projects etc. in the rural areas of these districts. In the districts where the model code of conduct is in force, the government cannot inaugurate or lay the foundation stone for any building, project, etc.
Booths in sensitive and hyper-sensitive areas will be closely monitored
Sh. Dhanpat Singh said that elaborate arrangements are being made by the police for the conduct of elections in a fair, transparent and peaceful manner. Further immediate action should be taken if someone is found posing with an unlicensed weapon. Police will also be responsible for ensuring the safety of the EVMs. An adequate police force shall be deployed to maintain law and order at the polling stations and extra police force will be provided in sensitive and hyper-sensitive areas. Police patrol should be increased in villages, he added.
The uninterrupted power supply should be ensured at the polling booths
Sh. Dhanpat Singh directed the Power Department to ensure an uninterrupted electricity supply at the polling booths. In the polling booths where there is any problem related to electricity, the department should visit these booths in advance and ensure better arrangements there.
He further directed the Education, Technical Education and Industrial Training Departments that if any repair is required in the educational institutions where polling booths are to be set up, it should be completed well in advance. Arrangements of ramps etc. should be made at these places so that Persons With Disabilities and the elderly can easily cast their votes.
Adequate arrangements should be made for clean drinking water and cleanliness in toilets at all polling booths, directed Sh. Dhanpat Singh.
Police and Excise Department to closely monitor the sale of illegal liquor
Sh. Dhanpat Singh said that the police and the Excise and Taxation Department should keep a close watch on the sale of illicit liquor during elections. Regular raids and patrolling should be done continuously in those areas where any suspicious activities are reported.
A complete ban on the purchase and sale of liquor in these areas should be ensured a day before the polling and on the day of polling and counting of votes. There will be a complete ban on the sale of liquor within one kilometre of the polling area, said Sh. Dhanpat Singh.
Panchayat election activities can be seen on the ‘Mhari Panchayat’ portal
Sh. Dhanpat Singh said that this time all the activities related to Panchayat elections can be seen on the ‘Mhari Panchayat’ portal developed by NIC. In this, the nominations of the candidates, the final lists of the contesting candidates will be uploaded. Besides this, an e-dashboard has been prepared for the day of polling and counting so that anyone can see the poll trends, voting percentage and final results sitting at home, informed Sh. Dhanpat Singh.
COVID protocol and arrangements for first aid should be ensured at every polling booth
Sh. Dhanpat Singh directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department that the guidelines and directions issued regarding COVID-19-related protocol should be meticulously followed during elections. Besides this, complete arrangements for first aid in the nearest dispensary, primary health centre, community health centre or general hospital should also be ensured in case of any injury during elections.
State Election Commission Secretary, Dr. Inderjit, Additional Director Information (Admn), Public Relations and Languages Department, Smt. Varsha Khangwal, Joint Director (Admn), Sh. Aman Kumar and other senior officers also remained present in this meeting.
