Chief electoral officer (CEO), Jammu and Kashmir, Shaleen Kabra on Thursday held a meeting with the representatives of recognised political parties regarding the on-going special summary revision of electoral rolls.
As per the release, all the roll observers deployed by Election Commission of India (ECI) attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the representatives of political parties were apprised about the extension of ongoing summary revision i.e. December 23, 2018 as the last date for filing of claims and objections with disposal by January 12, 2019 and the final publication of electoral roll on January 22, 2019.
The representatives of the political parties were informed that the third special camp at all the polling stations across the State is being held on December 16, 2018 wherein all the booth level officers (BLOs), in presence of booth level agents appointed by the parties, will go through the draft roll and identify the errors, if any.
The BLOs will also read out the names of the claims and objections received so far, including the ones proposed for deletion, at their respective polling stations. The special camp shall also focus on removal of repeat/multiple entries from electoral rolls besides enrolment of new eligible electors.
He requested the political parties to appoint booth level agents at grass root level, who are expected to assist the BLOs in preparation of an error-free roll.
He further appealed to the political parties to avail the facility offered by Election Commission of India through online portal NVSP http:/ /www.nvsp.in, which can be accessed at a click of the button for enrolment as well as verifying/rectifying particulars of an already enrolled voter.
During the meeting, representatives of political parties expressed their concerns about the duplicate entries in the electoral roll. They also requested for more polling stations in far-flung areas.
In response, the CEO explained that the exercise of removing duplicate entries has been taken up at micro level and if any such entries/data is in their knowledge, invited them to share the same.
As for the polling stations, he informed them that 1281 new polling stations have been created for vulnerable areas as also for facilitating the electors in the last two years and the total now stands at 11316.
Kabra assured them that more polling stations can be created provided there is adequate justification and requested to bring such cases to notice of the concerned deputy commissioners after the publication of final electoral roll.
CEO assured all the representatives that the EVMs are tamper proof and added that VVPATs shall be at each and every polling station to further enhance confidence among citizens.
In order to dispel misapprehensions about the EVM-VVPAT as also to familiarise the electorate, he informed that a major EVM-VVPAT awareness programme is being launched in the State from the next month onwards, whereby the election officials will be visiting every town and village.
The CEO sought cooperation of the political parties in preparing an error-free and credible photo electoral roll for the ensuing parliamentary elections. He emphasized the theme of accessible elections along with the motto of no voter to be left behind.