District election officer, Ramesh Kumar on Wednesday took stock of the preparedness for the counting of the votes polled in the recently held urban local body elections.
The counting of the votes polled for 154 wards for one municipal corporation and seven municipal committees of the district is scheduled on Oct 20, 2018 as elsewhere in the state.
The Jammu district went to polls on October 8 in which 2, 81, 889 voters of 4, 41, 635 electorates voted to choose their representatives in their respective wards.
The DEO issued instructions to the concerned officers to make proper arrangements at the venue to ensure comprehensive, hassle free and peaceful counting process. He informed that the counting process will commence from 9 am onwards till completion. Only authorized persons and vehicles will be allowed to enter inside the venue,” he added.
Election authorities have made adequate arrangements for the counting of votes polled in the recently held ULB elections, the DEO said.
He directed the teams constituted for counting along with ROs to follow the set procedure and maintain discipline while discharging their duties. JMC and PHE department were directed to ensure clean sanitation arrangements and drinking water supply at the venue.
The DEO further informed that a joint Control Room of Police and Civil Administration and Media Centre have been set up for the smooth flow of election related information. Mock drill for the counting process will be conducted on Friday, October 19, he added.
The DEO also took stock of the security and barricading arrangements being made at the venue.
He directed the concerned officers to ensure comprehensive and correct dissemination of counting related information and details. He asked the Traffic Police to prepare a comprehensive traffic management system for the diversion of vehicles for the convenience of the general public.
Meanwhile, The DC visited the counting rooms to assess the sitting arrangements made for ROs, AROs and counting agents and directed for establishing more counting rooms.
During his visit, the DEO also passed necessary instructions pertaining to issuance of ID cards, counting rounds, sitting arrangements, availability of Fire tenders and many alike.
Later, the DEO held an interactive session with ROs and other polling officers. He appreciated their efforts for achieving a good voter turnout percentage in the district.
The DEO was accompanied by ADC Jammu Rishpal Singh, SDM South, Shrikant Balasahib Suse,Joint Commissioner JMC P S Manhas, Deputy DEO Ahmed Zaffar Banday,SP Vinay Kumar, Principal, Government Polytechnic College, Arun Bangotra besides other concerned officers.