ARUNACHAL PRADESH: STATE ELECTION COMMISSIONER DENOUNCED PURPORTED USE OF MONEY

On a visit to the district, the State Election Commissioner, Hage Kojeen reviewed the preparedness of various election related arrangements with Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Chuku Takar, Superintendent of Police Dr Hemant Tiwari, District Panchayat Development Officer Nending Chatung, Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Assistant EROs and other officers of the PRIs at the DC’s chamber on Friday.

Briefing the officers, the SEC emphasized on the need to ensure free and fair elections to the Panchayati Raj Institutions as and when the poll is scheduled.

He asked the district administration to initiate sensitization programs on electoral offences defined under the Representation of People Act 1951 and dos and don’ts during elections including MCC (model code of conduct) for political parties and officers.

He further strongly decried use of money and muscle power during elections and vouched for a level playing field for free and fair elections, so that the deserving candidates are elected.

To facilitate this, awareness campaign should be initiated by district administration in collaboration with various agencies, NGOs, students, youths and media, he advised.

Referring to law and order situation, he asked the police administration to categorize polling stations into hypersensitive, sensitive and normal well in advance to streamline security arrangements during elections.

The SEC also discussed about other arrangements like electoral roll revision and updating, maintenance of ballot boxes, finalization of different categories of polling stations, etc.