JALANDHAR
Police Observer Satish Kumar Gajbhiye and expenditure observer Madhav Deshmukh , appointed by ECI for the Jalandhar Lok Sabha poll 2024, have asked the officials to strictly implement the Model code of conduct so that free and fair polls can be ensured.
Today chairing a meeting with DEO Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal, Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma, and SSP Jalandhar (Rural) Dr. Ankur Gupta, the observers reviewed the arrangements made by the district administration, especially the security arrangements.
Addressing the officials, they said that free and fair/peaceful voting was the base of healthy democracy which must be ensured at every cost.
They also said that teams must remain fully alert to check the illegal flow of cash and liquor.
Exhibiting satisfaction over the arrangements made by the district administration, they said that confidence-building measures must be enhanced so that people would be able to cast their votes without any fear.
The expenditure observer asked the FST and SST teams to remain more vigilant, especially in the pockets identified as expenditure sensitive besides ensuring better coordination between various teams as well as with Headquarter.
Briefing the observers about the arrangements made by the district administration, DEO Dr. Aggarwal said that the district administration had made elaborate arrangements to ensure free and fair polls in Jalandhar Lok Sabha polls where more than 16 lakh people would be able to cast their votes at 1951 polling booths.
It was informed that arrangements have already been made like the identification of vulnerable areas, randomization of polling personnel, deployment of FST, VVTs, etc.
The police commissioner and SSP also said that all security arrangements were in place, under which 82 % of Arms have been deposited besides taking preventive action, deployment of forces, and installing 19 inter-district Nakas. They also said that quick response teams (QRT) had been stationed along with implementing communication plans.
Prominent amongst those present in the meeting include Additional DEO Amit Mahajan, Joint CP Sandeep Sharma, ADCs Jasbir Singh and Lakhwinder Singh, all ARO cum SDMs, DSP etc.