Observers of ANI Parliamentary Constituency Hold Meeting with Returning Officer

Details

Port Blair, March 26: The Election Observers Shri. B. N. Singh, IAS, General Observer and Shri. Ravi Joseph Lokku, IPS, Police Observer today held meeting with Shri. Arjun Sharma, IAS, Returning Officer, Andaman and Nicobar Parliamentary Constituency and other Nodal Officers.

The Observers were given a brief presentation by the Returning Officer on the preparation of the A & N Parliamentary Constituency to ensure that the elections to the House of People are conducted in a fair and impartial manner.

The Observers briefed that there are certain direct executive roles like monitoring the processes of nomination, scrutiny and withdrawal, examination of the video clipping of the nomination process as well as making proper investigation on the complaints received in connection with the process of nomination, to examine the grievances by the candidates, if any about the allotment of symbols, effective monitoring of the cases of violation of the model code of conduct by watching the video clippings of various meetings and, if needed, even by visiting important rallies to get first hand input, enforcement of the defacement of property act, checking the account of expenditure of the candidates etc.

The Observers also reviewed the exercise of vulnerability mapping and identification of critical polling stations done by the District Election Officer and the Superintendent of Police and discussed the security Plan with the Superintendent of Police (District) and reviewed the law and order issue and availability of special force in general.

The Election Observers also visited various locations at the office premises of the Returning Officer, ANIPC where C-Vigil, EDC cell, District Control Room and MCMC team were functioning. today visited the Media Cell and interacted the MCMC team and reviewed its functioning. The Observer enquired about the mode of functioning of MCMC team pertaining to media certification and monitoring of paid news. He saw the facilities in the Media Cell and also gave necessary instruction to keep strict Vigil on the Print/electronic and social media for MCC violation.