Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Shri Rajiv Kumar, alongside Election Commissioners Shri Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. S.S. Sandhu, conducted a comprehensive review of poll preparedness for the upcoming Haryana Assembly Elections at Chandigarh. The term of the Haryana State Assembly is set to expire on November 3, 2024, with elections scheduled for 90 Assembly Constituencies (73 General, 17 SC) in the state.
During the two-day review, the Commission met with representatives from national and state political parties, including the Aam Aadmi Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Indian National Congress, Indian National Lok Dal, and Jannayak Janta Party. Key issues raised by the parties included:
Ensuring free and fair elections with strict action against misuse of government machinery.
Adequate deployment of central forces in sensitive polling stations.
Updating the electoral roll by removing deceased and relocated voters.
Reducing the distance between polling stations and improving facilities for elderly and women voters.
Changing the location of party polling desks in urban areas.
Improving accessibility of election observers for timely grievance redressal.
Sharing voter lists with candidates promptly after the nomination deadline.
Providing advance notice to political parties and candidates when polling teams visit for home voting.
Increasing the expenditure limit for candidates.
The Commission assured the representatives that it acknowledges their suggestions and is committed to conducting free, fair, and participative elections. The Election Commission of India (ECI) encouraged parties to engage in the ongoing second Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls.
In a significant development, for the first time in Haryana Assembly Elections, Senior Citizens over 85 years old and Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) with 40% or more disability will have the option to vote from home. This facility is optional; voters preferring to visit polling stations will receive assistance. The process for home voting will be videographed, and political party representatives will be involved in overseeing it.
The Commission also reviewed election planning aspects with District Electoral Officers (DEOs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), Divisional Commissioners, and Inspectors General of Police (IGs). The review covered electoral rolls, EVM management, polling station infrastructure, staff training, law and order, and voter awareness.
Key details from the review include:
Electors: As per the draft electoral roll published on August 2, 2024, there are 2.01 crore registered electors in Haryana, including approximately 1.06 crore male and 0.95 crore female voters. Over 4.52 lakh are first-time voters, 2.55 lakh are senior citizens aged 85+, and 1.5 lakh are PwD voters. The final roll will be published on August 27, 2024.
Polling Stations: A total of 20,629 polling stations will be set up, an increase of 817 from 2019. These will include 13,497 in rural areas and 7,132 in urban areas, with 125 managed solely by women and 116 by youth. Webcasting will be implemented in 100% of polling stations where feasible.
Assured Minimum Facilities: All polling stations will be equipped with ramps, drinking water, toilets, electricity, and other facilities to ensure voter convenience.
Technology: The Commission will utilize various IT applications such as cVIGIL for reporting violations, SUVIDHA for candidate permissions, KYC for candidate information, and Saksham for PwD voter assistance.
The Commission directed DEOs and SPs to address concerns about misuse of government resources and ensure impartiality. Measures include monitoring social media, ensuring accessible observers, and maintaining vigilance against inducements. Enforcement agencies were instructed to coordinate efforts to curb illicit activities and monitor cash and goods transfers, including through unscheduled flights and online transactions.
The review emphasized a coordinated approach among enforcement agencies and adherence to the highest standards of election integrity.
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