Sanjay Kumar Pandey

Ranchi: Chief Electoral Officer K. Ravi Kumar has directed that all preparations for the upcoming 2024 Assembly Elections be finalized promptly. Emphasizing both voter motivation and the provision of essential facilities at polling stations, he advised that thorough reviews of arrangements be conducted. Kumar highlighted the importance
of running a trial for the online application used by presiding officers on November 9 to avoid any issues on election day. He was addressing District Election Officers (DEOs) during a review meeting held at Nirvachan Sadan on Saturday. CEO stressed that security for the strong rooms in each district should meet the standards outlined
by the Election Commission of India. Additionally, he directed that 100- and 200-meter markings be established around polling stations at least three days prior to voting. To maintain a clean and fair election environment, all checkpoints should remain active, with night patrols to curb illegal activities.

During the session, Kumar reviewed all key aspects of the election preparations, providing directives on the deployment of security forces, state and district border checkpoints, strong room security, vulnerability mapping, seizure of illegal materials, issuance of Form 12D for postal ballots, training and randomization of polling staff, marking of polling stations, and allocation of voter slips. Additional Chief Electoral Officer Dr. Neha Arora discussed SOPs for webcasting, ensuring voter awareness about the 12 alternative ID proofs permissible at polling stations, and making election day a paid holiday. The meeting was attended by Dr. Neha Arora, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Subodh Kumar, OSD Mrs. Geeta Chaubey, Assistant Chief Electoral Officer Mr. Dev Das Dutta, and DEOs, Deputy Election Officers, and officials from District Election Offices across the state via online platforms.