PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Nov 6: The District Election Officer (DEO) of East Singhbhum, Karn Satyarthi, chaired a crucial review meeting on Thursday at the Sub-Divisional Auditorium in Ghatshila to assess preparations for the Ghatshila Assembly By-poll.
The meeting focused on polling-day logistics, EVM dispatch and receiving arrangements, transportation plans, and basic facilities at polling stations.
The DEO instructed officials to conduct a fresh review of essential amenities such as ramps, drinking water, electricity, and toilets at all polling stations.
He directed that any deficiencies be addressed immediately to ensure polling teams face no inconvenience.
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Officials informed that a total of 262 polling teams will proceed directly to their respective polling stations, while the remaining 38 teams will report to designated cluster points.
Detailed discussions were held on the distribution of polling materials, movement plans for polling personnel and security forces, food arrangements at polling stations and clusters, communication plans, final randomisation of polling parties and micro observers, vehicle availability as per route charts, and secure transportation of EVMs back to the receiving centre after polling.
The DEO also instructed that wheelchairs be made available for persons with disabilities at all polling stations, along with the deployment of volunteers to assist them.
He stressed strict adherence to Election Commission guidelines, including identity verification for burqa-clad or veiled voters and timely replacement of EVMs/VVPATs in case of malfunction.
To streamline the dispatch and receiving process, the DEO announced that 20 counters will be set up to ensure smooth and time-bound movement of polling teams.
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He directed all officials to physically verify arrangements and submit reports to ensure that all systems are fully functional on November 11, the polling day.
The meeting was attended by the Rural SP, Deputy Development Commissioner, Additional Collector, DTO, DCLR Ghatshila, Returning Officer Ghatshila, Deputy Election Officer, District Public Relations Officer, DIO, all AEROs and other concerned officials.
