All set for ZPTC, MTPC polls

Visakhapatnam: District Collector and District Election Officer M Abhishikth Kishore directed officials to complete arrangements for the smooth conduct of Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) and Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) elections in the district, ensuring strict compliance with the guidelines issued by the Election Commission.

On Monday, the Collector, along with Joint Collector G Vidyadhari, reviewed the election arrangements with RDOs, Returning Officers, MPDOs and nodal officers and issued several instructions. The Collector stated that polling would be held on the 5th of this month from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. He directed officials to ensure the availability of basic facilities at every polling station.

The Collector instructed officials to arrange webcasting and videography at critical polling stations, install signboards indicating the routes to polling stations and establish one model polling station in every mandal.

He emphasised the need for proper distribution of polling materials, installation of public address systems and adequate barricading at polling booths and strong rooms. Training for personnel assigned to polling and counting duties should be completed.

To monitor the polling process, control rooms will be set up at the mandal level as well as at the Zilla Parishad office. Adequate staff will be deployed at these control rooms.

The Collector directed officials to inspect and keep ballot papers, stationery and other election materials ready in advance. Help desks are facilitated at distribution centres, while all necessary arrangements will be completed at reception centres, strong rooms and counting centres with adequate security and CCTV surveillance.

The Collector instructed officials to ensure 100 percent advance distribution of voter slips to households. RDOs were directed to inspect counting centres, while MPDOs and police officials were asked to work in coordination and continuously monitor election arrangements in their respective jurisdictions.

The Collector further instructed that liquor shops must down their shutters 48 hours before polling and stressed that all election-related responsibilities must be discharged with complete accountability.

District Revenue Officer Visweswara Naidu, RDOs Sandeep Chakravarthy and Sangeeth Madhur, election officials and nodal officers attended the meeting.

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