THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, March 23: Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar and nodal officer of security apparatus A V Homkar held a review meeting today in Daltonganj ahead of the Lok Sabha election.
Speaking to the media K Ravi Kumar said, “We reviewed the election and security preparations and arrangements for the Lok Sabha election.”
“Work is on. Preparations have been made, but there are still many more things to be done,” said K Ravi Kumar.
Four districts, Chatra, Latehar, Garhwa and host Palamu, participated.
There is no scope for error at all
When asked which of the four districts is lagging or needs more preparations, the chief electoral officer said, “It’s not opportune to give any ranking. All the districts are to give their 100 per cent. The ECI is very clear. There is no scope of error at all.”
The chief electoral officer said, “I understand I am to come again. It may be after a week or in the coming ten days.”
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Voting awareness groups
On how Jharkhand plans to increase the voting percentage, the chief electoral officer said, “We were working on increasing the voting percentage over the last three years. There are voting awareness groups. Polling stations will have assured minimum facilities. There would be a help desk at the polling booths.”
Postal ballots
K Ravi Kumar said on the postal ballot, “There is a great impetus to it. Postal ballots on election duty will be the most prioritised. Media persons having an authority letter from the ECI for coverage may opt for the postal ballot service.”
Sources said deploying security forces across the length and breadth was the most critical issue. It took most of the four-hour deliberations of the review meeting.
Security plans
The chief electoral officer spoke on this issue, like security plans and management and security deployments, in a very tongue-in-cheek tone, which is very much expected now.
As the issue related to security and its apparatus, not many queries were made. The chief electoral officer, too, wished not to be asked about it since confidentiality is to be maintained at a higher level.
He said, “There is no shortage of election personnel. Similarly, there is not going to be any shortage of security forces. There will be a CPMF (central paramilitary force). The election will be free and fair.”
