"Ensure timely delivery of Elector's Photo Identity Cards": Himachal Pradesh CEO Manish Garg

Manish Garg directed the DEOs to accelerate the updating process of enrolment of new voters and complete it in a time-bound manner. Besides, the CEO emphasized on timely delivery of Elector's Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) as well.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manish Garg on Tuesday held a virtual meeting with all the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) District Election Officers (DEOs) on poll preparedness. Manish Garg directed the DEOs to accelerate the updating process of the enrolment of new voters and complete it in a time-bound manner. Besides, the CEO emphasized on timely delivery of Elector's Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) as well.

"As of now the total number of new electors from May 10, 2023, till date has been reported as 1,81,509. The total number of EPIC cards distributed so far is 1,67,135," he said. He also asked the DEOs to ensure the actual delivery of voter's cards from the postal department regularly.

The CEO also directed to ensure a hundred per cent availability of Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) to facilitate the voters including provisions of ramps, toilets, and clean drinking water facilities at all polling stations. He also directed the DEOs to identify the polling stations for webcasting following the Election Commission of India (ECI) recommendations and also work out the places where due to lack of internet or connectivity issues webcasting was not possible.

"For the critical Polling Stations where webcasting is not possible due to connectivity issues, proper videography should be done," he remarked. It was also emphasized to ensure that the storage and security protocol for all categories of EVMs is adhered to as per the ECI instructions. "Keeping in consideration the bye-polls being held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections, a complete list of counting places, strong rooms, post-counting storage of EVMs etc., should be provided to the CEO's office by April 10, 2024," he added.

Manish Garg also directed to complete the data entry of polling personnel in Nextgen District Information System for Education (DISE) software by the 10th of April and the first randomization process between the 13th to 15th of April. The details of polling stations to be managed by women, youth and by Persons with Disability (PwD) were also taken from the Deputy Commissioners.

As per details, there were 150 women-managed polling stations, 28 PwD and 54 youth-managed polling stations proposed to be set up in the State. Besides this, there will be around four model polling stations in each assembly segment for which DEOs were asked to send proposals accordingly. (ANI)

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