102 PCs in 21 States/UTs and 92 Assembly Constituencies in Arunachal & Sikkim are all set for polling on 19th April, 2024

Newdelhi:12/4/24:102 Parliamentary Constituencies in 21 states are scheduled for polling on 19^th April 2024 in which 127 General Observers, 67 Police Observers, and 167 Expenditure Observers have been deployed. All have reported in constituencies before the last date of nomination i.e. 26^th March, 2024. Sh. Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner accompanied by Sh. Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioner, and Sh. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Election Commissioner asked all the observers to strictly ensure that polling stations contain all amenities for voters especially to combat heat, no inducements are offered close to voting of first phase, forces are optimally utilised and law and order are kept under strict watch.

Central Observers were among other things directed to ensure:

1. The preparedness for polling in all the constituencies well in advance ensures a level playing field for all the stakeholders i.e. candidates and political parties
2. They are allotted to remain physically available within the Parliamentary Constituency during the entire election process.
3. Wide publication of mobile/landline/email/place of stay and circulation amongst candidates and political parties so that they are available on the designated numbers/addresses daily to the general public/candidate and political parties,
4. Randomization of deployment of forces in their presence
5. That Central Forces/State Police Forces are being utilized judiciously and maintaining neutrality and their deployment is not favoring any political party/candidate
6.  Randomization of EVMs/VVPATs and polling personnel in their presence
7. Smooth process of home voting for 85+ and PwDs and Postal Ballot for persons on election duty, essential duties, and Service Voters
8. The Electoral Rolls are supplied to the political parties and contesting candidates
9. The district administration has fairly done the Vulnerability Mapping and transportation and communication plan prepared accordingly
10. Deployment of Micro Observers
11. Commissioning of EVM/VVPAT before all candidates / their representatives
12. Oversee robust security arrangements at the EVM Strong Rooms and ensure the presence of authorized agents of all candidates
13. All complaint redressal mechanisms are in place
14. Integrated Control Rooms have been set up in districts under the overall charge of an officer authorized to take timely corrective action
15. 100% distribution of voter information slips has been done in advance before the polling day
16. All the IT applications such as C-vigil, Voter Helpline App, Saksham App, ENCORE, Suvidha App, etc, are being used by the election staff and they are properly trained to use these apps
17. The training of all the polling personnel including the counting staff, Micro Observers, etc. has been/have been organized in an orderly manner
18. Visiting the polling stations in the constituency and ensuring that Assured Minimum Facilities are in place at all the polling stations
19. Setting up of Voter Assistance Booth at all the polling stations for the convenience of voters, special facilitation for differently abled, physically challenged, women, elderly and leprosy-affected voters, etc
20. Facilities of drinking water, sheds/shamans for voters waiting in queue, and proper sitting arrangements outside the polling stations during polling
21. Flying Squads, Statistics Surveillance Teams, Video Viewing Teams, Border Check Posts, Nakas, etc. are doing their work round the clock and efforts are being made so that there is no movement and distribution of cash, liquor, freebies, drugs/narcotics
22. Proper working by Media Certification and Monitoring Committees for pre-certification of political advertisements and paid news
23. Timely curbing of fake news/misinformation, and pro-active dissemination of information to steer positive narrative.