Leh, June 24: Hon’ble Election Commissioner of India, Shri Anup Chandra Pandey chaired a review meeting on the preparedness of the UT Administration Ladakh for upcoming parliamentary elections. 

District Magistrates of both Leh and Kargil briefed on the number of constituencies, blocks in both districts, and the ongoing infrastructural work taking place pertaining to upcoming elections in the region. Data on the inaccessibility of polling parties due to poor connectivity in certain areas, accessibility of digital communication, demographic detail of voters, SVEEP awareness programs, and Block level officers (BLOs) of both districts were also discussed during the meeting. 

Hon’ble ECI directed both the administration to follow up on the preparedness of elections in the areas of infrastructure, connectivity, and communication sector in a time-bound manner. Furthermore, in the area of infrastructure, he directed to ensure that the polling stations are equipped with necessary requirements- washrooms, drinking water, ramps for PWDs, power connections, etc.

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Directions were also given to identify the shadow areas and ensure connectivity in these regions, officials were advised to inspect the sites personally. With regard to voter turnout in the region, ECI directed the administrations to collect proper demographic data of voters. He advised that surveys can be done in areas with less voter turnout, on which basis mobilising and activation of BLOs can also be done.

He also stressed on focusing on youth voters and collaborating with the education department for collecting data on new voters, and to also increase SVEEP activities in both schools and colleges. Further, he advised both districts to start a provision for facilitating centenarian voters. To improve the quality of elections and rationalising the polling stations, he directed to improve the conditions of assigned BLOs is essential. 

Various issues in the areas ERONET, hands-on training needed for officials, problems arising due to migration, and strengthening of the CEO office were also discussed in the meeting. ECI assured to look into these matters and the decision was taken to send a few officials from the Election and IT department to Delhi for training. 

The meeting was also attended by Sh. Yetindra M. Maralkar, Chief Electoral Officer, UT of Ladakh; Sh. Swarn Singh, Deputy Secretary (Election); Deputy Commissioner Leh; Deputy Commissioner Kargil; ADC Leh; Election Naib Tehsildar Leh; Election Naib Tehsildar Kargil and officials from the election and IT departments of both the districts.