Ranchi EW News: Following the directives of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shri K. Ravi Kumar, preparations have begun to ensure all necessary facilities at every polling booth in the state for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024. Currently, the status of basic amenities at Jharkhand’s polling centers is being assessed with the help of a third-party social audit by the State Unit of Social Audit.
This initiative marks possibly the first instance in the country where an independent social assessment is being conducted regarding election-related matters. Speaking on this, CEO Shri K. Ravi Kumar stated that it has always been the directive of the Election Commission to not only provide essential minimum facilities at polling centers but also to ensure a festive atmosphere at these locations. Hence, an impartial social assessment is being conducted to provide a true picture of the ground reality of these centers. Based on the report, any gaps identified will be rectified promptly.
One-Day Training for Surveyors Participating in the Assessment
A one-day training session was organized for the surveyors of the State Social Audit Unit at the conference hall of the Dhurwa-based Election Office. The main objective of this training was to acquaint these surveyors, who will be conducting assessments across districts, with the expected minimum facilities at polling centers as specified by the Election Commission and the related provisions. Surveyors from all districts of the state associated with the Social Audit team attended the training.
It was informed that the said social assessment is expected to be completed by February, following which any discrepancies or deficiencies will be addressed within a month.
Present at the occasion were OSD of the Election Office, Smt. Geeta Chaube, Additional Secretary Shri Devdas Datta, Deputy Election Officer (Headquarters) Shri Sanjay Kumar, Additional Election Officer Shri Sunil Kumar Singh, Regional Election Officer Shri Dheeraj Kumar, and Coordinator of the Social Audit Unit Shri Haladhar Mahato, along with all members of the team formed for the social assessment in the state.
