NEW DELHI: Haryana’s chief electoral officer, Pankaj Agarwal, announced measures to monitor the upcoming Assembly elections through webcasting at polling stations. During a video conference with officials, Agarwal reviewed election preparations and noted that the Election Commission of India will also supervise the process.
Haryana will hold Assembly elections on October 5 to elect 90 members, with vote counting set for October 8.
Agarwal emphasized that polling agents can only engage in authorized activities on election day. He warned of strict legal action for involvement in prohibited activities and mentioned that detailed guidelines have been issued.
Agarwal called for vigilant checkpoints to curb illegal transportation of liquor, narcotics, cash, and weapons during the election. District monitoring teams were urged to intensify their efforts.
He instructed that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) be stored securely before polling and transported with adequate security measures afterward. EVM-carrying vehicles must not stop during transit and should have GPS for security.
Agarwal stated, “Husbands of women employees deployed inside polling booths are not permitted to remain in the polling station. Similarly, husbands of female voters are strictly prohibited from entering the voting compartment.”
For accessibility, polling stations will provide wheelchairs for voters with disabilities. Arrangements for water, electricity, and seating will be made for the elderly, disabled individuals, and women in long queues.
Officials were directed to submit daily reports on home voting by those over 85 years old and disabled individuals, postal ballots by employees on duty, and the Electronic Transmitted Postal Ballot System used by service voters. With three days left before voting, Agarwal stressed increasing voter awareness.
Legal action will be taken against any inappropriate behavior inside polling stations, Agarwal concluded.Credit Source – https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/haryana-assembly-polls-100-webcasting-monitoring-at-polling-stations-says-chief-electoral-officer/articleshow/113867133.cms