SHILLONG/TURA: The North Garo Hills District Election Officer held a final meeting with police and civil sector officers of the district on Monday and apprised them of their roles and responsibilities on April 11.
Repeated meetings on ethical voting, training on the use of EVM, VVPAT have been held for the sector officers and the polling staff. Making Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) inclusive in the upcoming election, a special awareness drive on election mechanism was also imparted to them.
The DEO also informed that 152 polling personnel have been assigned to far flung areas and they will move to their respective polling stations on April 9.
SP S R Marak informed that police personnel from adjoining states, including SI cadets from NEPA, Shillong have been deployed in the district to ensure smooth conduct of the poll. He also advocated cordial relationship with their fellow civil sectors and move together for area familiarisation. Meanwhile, general observer for Selsella, Ahola Those, also held a review meeting with police and other stakeholders in Tura on Sunday. System to help poll personnel
The South West Garo Hills district election machinery has come up with a unique and practical system to help polling personnel.
Banners with details of polling parties and booths allotted along with contact numbers of polling personnel have been set up at the training centre and the material distribution centre. This arrangement has greatly reduced overcrowding and confusion of polling personnel who earlier had to search for their names, duties allotted and polling stations with great difficulty. The idea has been greatly appreciated by the polling personnel. The multiple election material distribution counters colour-coded for each constituency with the names of polling stations have also made it easy for polling parties to locate their respective counters.
This unique idea has made it possible to complete the exercise in record time. The transport cell has also followed suit by colour-coding vehicles allotted for polling stations. A colourful photo booth bearing various election logos and slogans was also set up near the distribution centre at the deputy commissioner’s office in Ampati.
Meanwhile, six emergency medical teams have been constituted for polling personnel and voters. The emergency medical teams will be stationed in identified police stations and out posts of the three assembly segments in South West Garo Hills.
Section 144 imposed
The District Magistrate and Returning Officer, Shillong, has imposed Section 144 CrPC prohibiting any election campaign activities, unlawful assemblies and holding of public meetings, processions and others displaying of election matter by means of television, print and electronic media or any similar apparatus including the use of loudspeakers without taking due permission, during the period of 48 hours ending with the hour fixed for the close of poll.
