District Panchayat Election Officer Rajouri holds press briefing on Panchayat Bypolls

Rajouri,February,14:District Panchayat Election Officer Rajouri,Mohammad Nazir Sheikh on Friday convened a press Conference in the office chamber regarding bypolls for the vacant panchayat seats in district Rajouri.

While briefing the media persons,the DPEO Rajouri informed that the Bypolls for 42 vacant panchayat seats in district Rajouri will begin from March 5 in the first phase.The poll hours would be between 9:00 AM to 4:00 pm.The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on same day.The DPEO also said the gazette notification will be issued on 15th of February while 22 February has been kept as last date for the nomination,scrutiny will be held on 24th and the last date for withdrawal has been kept as 26th of February,2020.

He also informed that the Model Code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect with the announcement of the bypolls schedule.He said that in order to ensure the implementation of provision of MCC,special Magistrates,flying squads,Expenditure Observers have been deployed in the district.

Regarding the training the DPEO also said special training sessions have also been organised at District level for training Returning Officer,Assistant Returning Officers,flying squads so that they can discharge their duties in the most efficient manner.

The DPEO also said the panchayat bypolls would be videographed and photographed to ensure transparency.

On security for the polling stations,DPEO said: “we have a foolproof security plan in place for all the polling stations, and elaborate and separate plans for hypersensitive, sensitive polling stations. We have looked into all the aspects and would conduct feel free and fair by elections, in an atmosphere which is peaceful”.

DPEO also urged everyone to participate in Panchayat bypoll elections for which polling will be on the 5th of March.DPEO also discussed the importance of these polls for strengthening democratic institutions at grass root level and enabling people to get directly associated with development of their towns and villages.