BARAMULLA: In view of the upcoming General Elections to the Lok Sabha 2024, the Returning Officer, 01-Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency, Minga Sherpa, today chaired a comprehensive meeting at Dak Bunglow here to review the preparations for the smooth conduct of elections in the constituency.

The meeting was attended by the District Election Officer, Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Sopore, Shabir Ahmad Raina, National Level Master Trainer, Sameer Jan and all the Assistant Returning Officers (AROs) associated with the conduct of Lok Sabha Elections in 1-Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency.

The meeting held detailed deliberations, covering all the significant areas crucial for the smooth conduct of parliamentary elections in 1-Baramulla Constituency which comprises all the assembly segments of Districts Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora and two assembly segments of Budgam district.

During the meeting, the RO instructed the concerned officers to chalk out a detailed plan for organizing comprehensive training sessions for the employees who would be deployed to carry out poll duties on the day of the election.

Meanwhile, the RO directed the AROs responsible for individual Assembly Segments to ensure that the Booth Level Officers visit the residences of all voters aged over 85 years or with a 40% benchmark disability well in advance so that they are provided with an option to choose to vote either from their homes through ballot paper or from their designated polling stations.

Speaking on the occasion, Ayushi Sudan, DEO Kupwara stressed on the AROs to ensure that appropriate provisions are made in advance, in accordance with the guidelines of ECI, for absentee voters and service voters who will be carrying out poll duties, thereby empowering them to exercise their right to franchise.

Minga Sherpa further underscored the crucial importance for the AROs to ensure seamless coordination among themselves and with the election department during this pivotal period for the successful execution of the election process in 1-Baramulla Parliamentary Constituency.