DOGRA HERALD BUREAU
RAJOURI, Sept 5
Police Observer Dr. Vishnu Kant and General Observer for Assembly Constituencies 85-Rajouri & 86-Budhal S. Harish on Thursday conducted a joint inspection of the Counting Hall at GHSS Rajouri and Strong Room at Government Degree College (GDC) Rajouri, designated for the Rajouri Assembly Constituency. They also visited the Strong Room at DIET, which has been set up for the Thanamandi Assembly Constituency. The inspection was aimed at ensuring that all necessary arrangements for the counting process are in line with the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The observers paid particular attention to the arrangements for entry and exit points, stressing the need for separate entry for polling staff and agents. “This is crucial to ensuring smooth movement and preventing any overcrowding during the counting process. The arrangement will help in maintaining security protocols while avoiding disruptions” the noted.
The observers emphasized the importance of adequate space for all personnel involved, including election staff, agents, and security personnel. To maintain transparency, the installation of CCTV cameras was emphasized by the observers. These cameras are to be placed strategically to allow political parties to monitor the counting process remotely, ensuring that the process is transparent and free from any discrepancies. This step is in alignment with the guidelines of the ECI to promote fairness and build trust among the participating political parties. The observers also inspected the logbook registers at both the Rajouri and Thanamandi Strong Rooms. These registers are essential in maintaining a record of all entries and exits from the Strong Rooms, ensuring that the safety of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) is maintained at all times. A detailed review of the logbooks was conducted to ensure that there are no discrepancies in the records.
Dr. Vishnu Kant and S. Harish also instructed that a videographer be deployed at the disposal of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to ensure additional layers of security. This videographer will be responsible for documenting all activities around the Strong Rooms and the Counting Halls, adding another level of oversight to the process. The premises and boundary walls surrounding the counting centers were also inspected by the observers. They emphasized that proper fencing, security measures, and adequate lighting should be ensured to prevent unauthorized access and to safeguard the security of the area. Throughout the visit, the observers repeatedly emphasized the need to strictly follow each and every guideline issued by the Election Commission of India. They advised the district administration to take extra precautions in maintaining the integrity of the counting process and in ensuring that no aspect of the setup is overlooked.
The District Election Officer (DEO) Rajouri, Abhishek Sharma, accompanied the General Observer during his visit to the Counting Hall and Strong Room at GDC Rajouri. During the inspection, SSP Rajouri, Randeep Kumar, Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Rajouri, Raj Kumar, Returning Officer (RO) Rajouri, Mohd Jahangir, and other key district and sectoral officers were also present.
