JALANDHAR
For the upcoming election for Lok Sabha constituency 04-Jalandhar (SC) on June 1, 1951 polling parties were dispatched from dispatch centers as the Jalandhar is all set to vote from 7 AM to 6 PM.
Today addressing the media persons here Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal and Commissioner of Police Rahul. S. said that the district administration has made adequate arrangements for peaceful voting across the district where 16.54 lakh voters would be able to cast their votes.
Dr. Aggarwal mentioned that at the receipt centers and polling stations, arrangements for drinking water, food, tea, medical aid, and other necessary facilities were ensured for the polling parties.
He informed that there are a total of 16,54,005 voters in the Jalandhar district, including 8,59,688 males, 7,94,273 females, and 44 third-gender voters.
To facilitate voters, 1951 polling booths have been established across the district, and to ensure the polling process runs smoothly and efficiently, 9424 polling staff have been appointed and provided with extensive training on the election process. Additionally, 419 micro-observers have also been deployed at the polling booths.
During the elections, the administration has deployed drones to keep check over law and order situations. The DC further added that these drones will assist checking teams engaged in curbing the use of money power during elections.
Dr. Aggarwal also stated that to ensure free and transparent elections, webcasting will be conducted at all 1951 polling booths. A district-level control room has been set up at the local CT Institute to monitor the webcasting, where activities at the polling stations will be monitored.
The Deputy Commissioner informed that to make the voting experience pleasant and comfortable for voters, 97 model polling stations have been established in the district, providing additional facilities such as drinking water, seating arrangements, medical assistance, organized queues, and volunteers to assist voters.
He further elaborated that in the Phillaur assembly constituency, 9 model polling stations have been set up, 17 in Shahkot, 10 each in Nakodar, Kartarpur, Jalandhar West, Jalandhar Central, Jalandhar North, and Jalandhar Cantonment, and 11 in Adampur.
To encourage women's participation in the polling process, an all-women polling station has been established in each assembly constituency under the Jalandhar Lok Sabha constituency (a total of 9), which will be operated by female staff. Additionally, a polling station in the Jalandhar Central assembly constituency will be managed by differently abled (PWD) staff. Another polling booth at Prem Chand Markanda SD College for Women in the Jalandhar Central constituency will be operated by young staff. A green polling station has also been set up in village Bhattian of the Phillaur assembly constituency to raise awareness about nature among voters.
Providing details about the arrangements made to protect voters from the scorching heat, the District Election Officer said that at each polling booth, facilities for drinking water, waiting areas, shamianas, wheelchairs, refreshments, ramps, and toilets have been ensured.
In addition, considering the heat and for the convenience of voters, the district administration has launched the votejalandhar.in website to provide real-time information about queues at polling stations from the comfort of their homes. This website will be updated every 15 minutes with information about the number of people in queues at all 1951 polling booths, facilitated by the 'Chaun Mitra' appointed at each polling booth.
Furthermore, the Election Commission has also introduced a 'Voter Queue Information System' for the convenience of voters. Under this system, voters can send a message by typing 'vote' to WhatsApp number 7447447217 to receive information about the number of people standing in line at their polling booth.
The District Election Officer informed that voting would take place from 7 AM to 6 PM on June 1. He appealed to the district's voters to participate actively in this festival of democracy, emphasizing that each vote is very important in a democracy, and every voter should certainly exercise their democratic right.
Commissioner of Police Rahul. S Said that special nakas were to be held across the district to check liquor and cash flow during elections. Likewise, 184 sector Magistrates have been fielded to further strengthen law and order situation in the Parliamentary Constituency, he said adding no one will be allowed to take law and order in hand as stern action will be taken against those found guilty.
He also said that there are 454 vulnerable polling booths in the district wherein paramilitary forces will be deployed besides micro-observers. He mentioned that joint surveillance teams have strengthened checking at various points to curtail the use of cash and liquor during elections.
Joint CP Sandeep Sharma was also present on the occasion.