A total of 102 Parliamentary Constituencies in 21 states are scheduled for polling on April 19 in which 127 General Observers, 67 Police Observers and 167 Expenditure Observers have been deployed, informed Election Commission.
Chief Election Commissioner, Rajiv Kumar 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 is kept under strict watch.
Additionally, the Central Observers have been directed to ensure preparedness for polling in all the constituencies well in advance and level playing field for all the stakeholders i.e. candidates and political parties. It has also directed Central Observers to remain physically available within the Parliamentary Constituency they are allotted during the entire election process.
Some of these directions include to ensure:
– Wide publication of mobile/landline/email/place of stay and circulation amongst candidate and political parties so that they are available on the designated numbers/addresses on daily basis to general public/candidate and political parties
– Randomization of deployment of forces in their presence
– That Central Forces/ State Police Forces are being utilized judiciously and maintaining neutrality and their deployment is not favouring any political party/candidate
– Randomization of EVMs/VVPATs and polling personnel in their presence
– Smooth process of home voting for 85+ and PwDs and Postal Ballot for persons on election duty, essential duties and Service Voters
– That the Electoral Rolls are supplied to the political parties and contesting candidates
– To ensure facilities of drinking water, sheds/ shamyanas for voters waiting in queue and proper sitting arrangements outside the polling stations during polling
– The Vulnerability Mapping has been fairly done by the district administration and transportation and communication plan prepared accordingly, among other directions
