Gopalganj, 26 October . The district administration has started finalizing the preparations to conduct the upcoming assembly elections in a peaceful, fair and transparent manner.

In this sequence, as per the instructions of the District Election Officer, a detailed review meeting of sensitive and vulnerable polling stations was organized under the chairmanship of the General Observer. In which all the returning officers, assistant returning officers and senior officers of the police administration were present. In the meeting, the observer discussed in detail the status of sensitive centers identified under each assembly constituency. He said that peaceful and fair voting process is the top priority of the administration. For this, it is mandatory to maintain coordination and vigilance at every level.

He directed the district administration and police administration to ensure deployment of adequate number of security forces in all sensitive areas so that no untoward incident or unwanted situation arises. Also, in the presence of senior officers of paramilitary forces, instructions were given to implement the action plan of area domination and flag march as per the guidelines of the Election Commission. In the meeting, special discussions were held on access to polling stations, traffic management, communication facilities, availability of basic facilities like electricity, drinking water, toilets etc.

The observer said that facilities like ramps, wheelchairs and support personnel should be made available for disabled voters with prior preparation, so that every voter gets equal opportunity to vote. He also directed that timely training should be provided to the polling personnel and adequate arrangements should be made for their transportation and security on the voting day. The observer said that violation of the election code of conduct will not be tolerated at any level. It is the responsibility of the administration to provide equal opportunities to all parties and candidates and for this all officers should work with full dedication and transparency. During the meeting, District Election Officer Pawan Kumar Sinha said that intensive review and continuous monitoring is going on at the administrative level regarding the upcoming assembly elections.

All necessary guidelines have been issued to make the election process smooth, safe and fair. Superintendent of Police Awadhesh Dixit said that orders were given to follow the Commission’s guidelines in letter and spirit. On this occasion, Deputy Election Officer Dr. Shashi Prakash, Sub-Divisional Officer Anil Kumar, Hathua SDO Abhishek Kumar Chanchal, various police station heads, returning officers, sector magistrates and officers of related branches were present. At the conclusion of the meeting, the observer said that elections are a festival of democracy, it is the collective responsibility of all of us to conduct them in a peaceful, fair and transparent manner.

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/ Akhilanand Mishra