Election Observers conduct meeting with representatives of political parties & contesting candidates at Shopian

• 135 Postal ballots transferred to service voters through ITPBMS

SHOPIAN: Following withdrawal of nominations, the District Election Office, Shopian today organised a meeting of Election Observers with Political parties and contesting candidates as mandated under the guidelines of Election Commission of India (ECI) to acquaint them with guidelines, do's and don'ts of election process. On the occasion, District Election Officer (DEO) Shopian, Mohammad Shahid Saleem Dar, who joined today, welcomed all Observers and representatives of political parties and contesting candidates.

The representatives of BJP, INC, JKNC, JKPDP, JKNPP, JKAP, CPIM, and agents of contesting candidates were briefed on using C- Vigil for reporting violations of MCC and expenditure and Suvidha apps designed for seeking timely permissions. They were briefed and encouraged to highlight any apprehensions before the observers related to the elections and share a worry list.

The representatives raised various issues pertaining to permission of electioneering and expenditure booking. The issues were listened to patiently. They were also apprised on 2nd randomisation of EVMs, scheduled on 02, September, 2024 and their commissioning, and briefed on expenditure booking, paid news issues, pre-certification of advertisements, MCC, etc.

General Observer for Zainapora, Jeevan Babu highlighted the critical role of Political parties for ensuring good and enhanced voter engagement and turnout. General Observer, Shopian, Roohi Khan, asked election authorities to provide  handbooks to all candidates, both hard and soft copies and asked political parties representatives and candidates to acknowledge receipt of notices communicated to them.

Expenditure Observer, Nelapatla Ashok Babu apprised on various facets of expenditure including keeping permissions with vehicles, adhering to expenditure ceiling and replied to various queries raised by the agents, with regard to permissions for campaigning, expenditure booking etc. Police Observer, Ravi D Channannavar asked for guiding political parties on issues of MCMC, usage of IT apps for complaint registering and for permissions.

On the occasion, postal ballots of service voters of both Shopian and Zainapora numbering 52 and 83 respectively were transferred to service voters through ITPBMS in the presence of political parties.

Besides, a demonstration of the working of suvidha app was given on the spot and explained to them the procedure for filing of online and offline permission applications and also asked for producing expenditure registers before expenditure Observer for inspections on scheduled dates, 02, 09 and 14 September at Circuit House, Shopian.

All observers shared their local numbers, Jeevan Babu K, General Observer for 36-Zainapora AC, 7006392106; Roohi Khan, General Observer for 37- Shopian, 7006518189; Police Observer, Ravi D Channannavar, 9902956196 and Expenditure Observer Nelapatla Ashok Babu, 9906008597.