SAMBA: District Election Officer (DEO) Samba, Abhishek Sharma today briefed the media about preparedness for Lok Sabha Elections-2024 scheduled in the district on 26th April 2024.

Speaking at a press conference here in Mini Secretariat, the DEO said that  necessary circulars detailing the enforcement of  Model Code of Conduct to maintain the sanctity of electoral process have been issued

The DEO informed that as many as 2,59,000 voters including 132861 males, 126336 females and one transgender  voter spanning across three assembly constituencies are poised to exercise their right to franchise  on the Polling Day.

Giving details regarding Model Polling Stations, the DEO said 3 pink   and 3 PwD polling stations have been established in district Samba apart from green and youth polling stations. In addition to this, special camps were conducted during special summary revision, and new voters were added.

He also highlighted that a home voting facility for 514 voters including 169 PwD voters and 345   elderly voters (85+), has been arranged. He said that 49 teams have been constituted for home voting at different locations.

“To facilitate the level playing field for all political parties as per ECI guidelines, online permission facility is available through Encore App and 60 permissions have been issued to different political parties till date,” he added and said three meetings were held with political parties to brief them about MCC and other guidelines.

The DEO also highlighted the use of Election related IT platforms, including cVIGIL, ENCORE, SUVIDHA, ERONET, NGRS portal, etc.

 In addition to this, 9 each FSTs and SSTs have been deployed to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. Out of 365 polling stations, the web casting facility has been made functional in 203 polling stations as per guidelines of ECI.

SSP Samba, Vinay Kumar briefed that necessary security arrangements have been put in place to ensure free, fair and transparent elections. Around 1335 licensed weapons have been deposited and 9 persons have been detained under PSA and 2 persons under NDPS Act till date.

 Moreover, Rs 5.50 lacs cash, 3 pistols, 16 kg poppy straw, 18 kg charas and 13 kg heroin have been seized till date during enforcement activities.