DEO Budgam chairs Pre-Poll Preparedness meeting for By-Election to 27-AC Budgam

• Calls for Flawless Poll Arrangements to Ensure Free, Fair and Fearless Elections

BUDGAM:-The District Election Officer (DEO) Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-ud-Din Bhat  today chaired a comprehensive pre-poll preparedness meeting to review the arrangements for the By-election of Assembly Constituency 27-Budgam, scheduled to be held on November 11, 2025. During the meeting, the DEO conducted a detailed tehsil-wise review of the election preparedness and directed all concerned officers to ensure seamless and well-coordinated arrangements across the constituency.

At the outset, the DEO reiterated the importance of the strict implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and urged all stakeholders to adhere to the guidelines and instructions issued by the Election Commission of India in letter and spirit. The DEO emphasized the need to provide a level playing field for all political parties, ensuring free, fair, transparent, and peaceful elections in the district. He stressed that all facilities and logistics should be put in place well before the polling date.

Highlighting the scale of the electoral exercise, the DEO was informed by the Deputy District Election officer budgam that Assembly Constituency 27-Budgam comprises of 173 polling stations across 111 polling locations, catering to around 1.25 lakh voters. The DEO directed officers to ensure all these polling locations are equipped with drinking water, uninterrupted electricity, wheelchairs, and other assured minimum facilities.

He further instructed that polling parties be provided with adequate boarding and lodging arrangements, food kits, refreshments, and toiletries at all polling locations. The DEO also reviewed the distribution of voter slips and EPIC cards, arrangements for webcasting and installation of signage, and deployment of polling staff, medical teams, and security personnel as per the ECI guidelines.

The DEO directed that all nodal officers shall sensitize their teams on the strict implementation of the MCC and ensure that all activities are conducted in close coordination with each other. The meeting also discussed the transportation plan, commissioning of EVMs, establishment of dispatch/collection centres and strong rooms, as well as the district security plan. 

The DEO directed that any identified deficiencies be addressed on priority, adding that there is no scope for any lapses. He further emphasised that all arrangements must be completed well in advance to ensure a free, fearless, and smooth conduct of elections in Budgam district. Among others, the meeting was attended by ADC Budgam, RO 27-AC Budgam, ASP Budgam, CPO, Deputy District Election Officer, SDMs, Nodal Officers, Tehsildars, and other concerned officers of the district.