हिंदी
Haryana State Election Commissioner chairs state-level meeting with the top officials regarding the conduct of general elections of three tiers of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the State
Chandigarh, October 7 :– Haryana State Election Commissioner, Sh. Dhanpat Singh said that conducting free, transparent and fair elections is a very important task.
“Departments including Police, Health, Power, Excise and Taxation and others should work amicably to ensure peaceful, free and fair poll,” added Sh. Dhanpat Singh, while chairing the state-level meeting with the top official regarding the conduct of general elections of three tiers of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the State held in Panchkula today.
Chief Secretary Sh. Sanjeev Kaushal, Additional Chief Secretary Home Department, Sh. T.V.S.N Prasad, Additional Chief Secretary Development and Panchayats Department, Sh. Anil Malik, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Amit Agrawal and Secretary, State Election Commission, Dr. Inderjeet, other Administrative Secretaries, Head of Departments and senior police officers also remained present in the meeting.
Sh. Dhanpat Singh said that Panchayat elections would be conducted in different phases in the state. In the first phase, elections will be held in 10 districts namely, Bhiwani, Fatehabad, Jhajjar, Jind, Kaithal, Mahendragarh, Nuh, Panchkula, Panipat and Yamunanagar. In these districts, voting for the Members of Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis will be held on October 30. Meanwhile, polling for Sarpanches and Panches of Gram Panchayats will be held on November 2.
With the announcement of the Panchayat elections, the Model Code of Conduct has come into force from today in respect of Panchayati Raj Institutions where the poll is to be held on October 30 and November 2. No officer or official connected with the election work shall be transferred from his/her present place of posting till the completion of the election process, said Sh. Dhanpat Singh.
He further informed that the state government cannot announce any new schemes, new projects etc. in the rural areas of these districts. In the districts where the model code of conduct is in force, the government cannot inaugurate or lay the foundation stone for any building, project, etc.
Booths in sensitive and hyper-sensitive areas will be closely monitored
Sh. Dhanpat Singh said that elaborate arrangements are being made by the police for the conduct of elections in a fair, transparent and peaceful manner. An adequate police force shall be deployed to maintain law and order at the polling stations and extra police force will be provided in sensitive and hyper-sensitive areas. The additional police force should be deployed at these booths, he added.
Further immediate action should be taken If someone is found posing with an unlicensed weapon. During the election, some candidates try to lure voters with freebies, hence necessary action should be taken against such people, said Sh. Dhanpat Singh.
He further said that Police will also be responsible for ensuring the safety of the EVMs. Police patrol should be increased in villages.
The power department should ensure uninterrupted electricity supply at the polling booths
Sh. Dhanpat Singh directed the Power Department to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply at the polling booths. In the polling booths where there is any problem related to electricity, then the department should visit these booths in advance and ensure better arrangements there.
He further directed the Education, Technical Education and Industrial Training Departments that if any repair is required in the educational institutions where polling booths are to be set up, it should be completed well in advance. Arrangements of ramps etc. should be made at these places so that Persons With Disabilities and the elderly can easily cast their votes.
Adequate arrangements for water and sanitation
Sh. Dhanpat Singh directed the Chief Engineer, Public Health Engineering Department to make adequate arrangements for clean drinking water and cleanliness in toilets at all polling booths.
COVID protocol and arrangements for first aid should be ensured at polling booths
Sh. Dhanpat Singh directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department that the guidelines and directions issued regarding COVID-19 related protocol should be meticulously followed during elections. Besides this, complete arrangements for first aid in the nearest dispensary, primary health centre, community health centre or general hospital should also be ensured in case of any injury during elections.
Police and Excise Department to closely monitor the sale of illegal liquor
Sh. Dhanpat Singh said that the police and the Excise and Taxation Department should keep a close watch on the sale of illicit liquor during elections. Regular raids and patrolling should be done continuously in those areas where any suspicious activities are reported.
A complete ban on the purchase and sale of liquor in these areas should be ensured a day before the polling and on the day of polling and counting of votes. There will be a complete ban on the sale of liquor within one kilometre of the polling area, said Sh. Dhanpat Singh.
Panchayat election activities can be seen on the ‘Mhari Panchayat’ portal
Sh. Dhanpat Singh said that this time all the activities related to Panchayat elections can be seen on the ‘Mhari Panchayat’ portal developed by NIC. In this, the nominations of the candidates, the final lists of the contesting candidates will be uploaded. Besides this, an e-dashboard has been prepared for the day of polling and counting so that anyone can see the poll trends, voting percentage and final results sitting at home, informed Sh. Dhanpat Singh.
