Karuna Raju reviews arrangements for poll preparedness
By Amrit Brar
Jalandhar, 22 February 2019
Chief Electoral Officer Punjab Dr S Karunaraju today said that in a revolutionary step the Election Commission of India has introduced cVigil app for effective implementation of the Model Code of Conduct and resolution of every election related complaint within 100 minutes.
Interacting with the media here at the local Circuit House, the Chief Electoral Officer, accompanied by Commissioner of Police Mr. Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, Deputy Commissioner Mr. Varinder Kumar Sharma and Senior Superintendent of Police Mr. Navjot Singh Mahal, said that the C-vigil app would be launched after 28th of this month adding that it would ensure proper implementation of the Model Code of Conduct.
He said that through this app prompt action would be taken against every complaint regarding the violation of Model Code. Dr Karunaraju said that any individual could upload video clip or picture regarding the violation of Model Code of Conduct.
The Chief Electoral Officer said that as soon as the complaint was lodged action would be initiated on it and it would be resolved within 100 minutes. He said that if the complainant doesn’t want to get identified then his credentials would be kept secret. Dr Karunaraju said that this was a historic initiative of the Election Commission of India which was aimed at strengthening democracy at grass root level.
The Chief Electoral Officer further said that in another unique initiative a toll free number 1950 has been launched in the state for Information, Feedback, Suggestion and Complaint by people. He said that any person could call on this toll free number from his mobile or land line phone.
Replying to another query, the Chief Electoral Officer said that the Commission was fully prepared for the ensuing Lok Sabha polls. He said that the transfers and postings of the officers in pursuance of the stipulated guidelines has been completed. Dr Karunaraju said that there were 23124 polling booths across the state on which polling would be held in the state.
Dwelling on another point, the Chief Electoral Officer said that in order to ensure that every eligible was voter covered in the voter list a special Voter Verification and Information Program (VVIP) campaign would be organized on March 2 and 3.
He said that during the campaign booth level camps would be held at all the 24123 booths in the state. Dr Karunaraju said that Election Commission of India was committed to ensure three important cardinal principle free and fair elections, level playing field for all and ensuring voter secrecy.
The Chief Electoral Officer said that the commission has enrolled 2.5 lakh young voters between age group of 18-19 years have been enrolled as voters by the Commission. He said that 1000 oversea voters have been registered and 365 transgender voters have been enrolled in the state. Dr. Karunraju said that for the first time election on all the booths would be held VVPAT machines along with EVMs.
Later, the Chief Electoral Officer also had detailed interaction with the officers of the district administration on election preparedness.
On the occasion Additional Deputy Commissioner Mr. Jasbir Singh, Sub Divisional Magistrate Mr Paramvir Singh, Mr Amit Kumar Panchal, Mr Sanjiv Sharma, Mr Rajesh Sharma and Ms Charumita, Secretary RTA Ms Nayan Jassal, Deputy Director Local Government Mr Baljinder Singh, Assistant Commissioners Mr Himanshu Jain and Mr Navraj Singh Brar, Executive Officer PUDA Mr. Randeep Singh, Joint Commissioner Municipal Corporation Ms Aashika Jain, District Development and Panchayat Officer Mr Ajay Kumar, District Information Officer Mr AS Kalsi, Revenue Officers Mr Aaditya Gupta, Mr Tapan Bhanot, Mr Inder Dev Singh Minhas and others were also presen