DEO, Namchi conducts meeting with contesting candidates and election agents

Namchi, April 2 (IPR): To ensure fair electoral process in general election 2024 another step was taken in Namchi District today. A meeting was conducted by Mrs Annapurna Alley, DEO/DC Namchi in presence of Mr Amar Nath Upadhyay General Observer, Ms Bhagyashri Navatake Police Observer, Mr Ashish Kumar Shukla Expenditure Observer, Senior SP Namchi, ROs and AROs alongwith the contesting candidates of various political parties accompanied by their election agents. The meeting had the presence of contesting candidates from seven Assembly Constituencies (ACs) under Namchi District. The meeting was conducted in the Conference Hall of District Administrative Centre Namchi.
In the meeting each Observer addressed the candidates who emphasized that a fair play be maintained for all, and the same shall be maintained, responded the Observers respectively. The General Observer emphasised that all the guidelines provided by the ECI is being maintained, and that all the candidates should follow the same. He further stated that any infractions which came to light has been taken care of, and urged all the candidates to maintain the sense of fair electoral process. Meanwhil ensuring that any grievances brought up shall be strictly and immediately addressed. Further the General Observer also pointed the fact that ‘Vigilant Citizenship’ is a strong necessity in any electoral process.
The Expenditure Observer pointed out that no obstruction to SSTs and VSTs shall be made in their working, stating the fact that video coverage is a necessary part to monitor the expenditure of the candidates. He also highlighted the fact that any occurrence in violations made in the showcase of expenditure or misuse of funds by the candidates shall be dealt strictly.
The Police Observer also highlighted the importance of candidates to uphold the law and maintain peaceful environment for their campaigns, and that anyone can approach with their grievances at any given point of time which will be followed by necessary steps and actions shall be taken to uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
DEO/DC Namchi also urged all the contesting candidates to adhere to the guidelines of MCC during the tenure of the on-going electoral process. She further stressed that a fair and smooth election shall be enforced for all the contesting candidates.
Mr Anant Jain RO/ADC and Nodal Officer for EVMs gave a brief report on how the first level of checking of the EVMs was carried followed by the first randomisation process and the shifting of the EVMs being used for the upcoming poll. He also stated that all the necessary actions of the checking of the EVMs, leading to the randomisation and the shifting to the strong room at Kamrang College Namchi was made under the supervision of appropriate authorities and political representatives. He also mentioned as to how the EVMs shall be shifted to the ACs polling stations and as to how after the polls the EVMS shall be shifted back to the strong room, and kept till counting of the votes commences on June 4.
ADC/HQ Mr Subhash Ghimirey, also the Nodal Officer for Law and Order briefed the gathering that no violations relating to caste, creed, religion or community shall be made by any candidate in their campaign. He also urged the election agents of candidates that they should help their respective candidates to follow the guidelines provided by the ECI for MCC. He also gave a brief information about the Moral Code of Conduct and that all the candidates should adhere strictly to it. He also informed that one flag per vehicle and appropriate size of flags for two wheelers/four wheelers should be maintained during the campaigning tours.
Mr Sunil Chandra Sharma, Nodal Officer for Expenditure Monitoring Team briefed the candidates that all the expenditure incurred by them in their campaign shall be thoroughly monitored and that the candidates should without any fail fill their day-to-day expenses incurred in the expenditure register provided to them. He also stated that an exclusive bank account shall be used solely by the candidate for the transactions during their campaign and no transaction from other accounts shall be entertained. He also stated that publishing materials by the candidates should be notified to the District Media Certification and Monitoring Committee and the names of the Printer and the Publishers should be mentioned. Failure to do so shall be met with strict and necessary actions. Further he also stated that use of illegal vehicles by the candidates without permission, their expenses shall be booked in the candidate’s name. He also stated that three inspections by the Expenditure Observers shall be taken up at the Town Hall at Namchi. The dates for 09 Barfung, 10 Poklok-Kamrang, 11 Namchi-Singhithang and 12 Melli constituencies are from 6th, 12th and 17th April 2024 and for 13 Namthang-Rateypani, 14 Temi –Namphing and 15 Rangang-Yangang ahsll take place on 6th, 13th and 14th April 2024.
Deputy Secretary Nivedita Pradhan gave a brief information about postal ballots and home voting for senior citizens who are 85+ of age and PWDs and informed that the home voting shall commence from 4th April 2024. She also stated that the home voting process shall be done under the supervision of the teams allotted for the part along with police personnel, videographer, micro observers and authorised candidate representative. She also provided the information that Facilitation Centres for Postal Ballot Voting has been prepared at DAC Conference Hall and 2 halls at Namchi Indoor Stadium.
The meeting also had an interactive session, where the candidates kept forth their opinions and grievances to the Observers present. Later the candidates were provided with their Identity Cards and election materials.