Chandigarh : 17th May :[RK SHARMA VIKRAMA/MONICA SHARMa/ALPHA NEWS INDIA DESK] ;–With the Electioneering coming to an end today, a Press Conference was held under the chairmanship of Sh. Mandip Singh Brar, IAS, Deputy Commissioner cum Returning Officer, Chandigarh Parliamentary Constituency in the presence of Smt. Nilambari Jagadale, IPS, SSP Chandigarh, at UT Guest House, wherein the details with respect to conduct of elections were shared.
The Returning Officer shared that all the preparations have been done by the Election Department Chandigarh for smooth conduct of General Lok Sabha Elections in the constituency.
There are total 6, 46,084 voters in Chandigarh, out of which 3, 41,640 are male voters and 3, 04,423 are female voters, and 21 others. There are total 17,598 voters in the age group of 18-19 years and 3157 Persons with Disability voters. Out of 36 numbers of total contesting candidates, 9 candidates are female.
In Chandigarh Parliamentary constituency there are 597 polling booths and 191 Polling Stations in total. The number of sensitive booths has been increased to 230. The Election Department Chandigarh has appointed 12 ARO’s, and 60 Sector Officers for a transparent election process in the city.
It was shared that all the EVM and VVPAT machines have been prepared and sufficient reserve machines have also been kept to conduct the polls on 19th May 2019. A strong room has also been created in CCET, Sector 26. Adding to this, the officer said that sufficient manpower including the presiding officer, polling officers and sector officers has also been given hands on training for the smooth conduct of elections. As of now, 645 electronically transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS), 1254 Election duty certificates and 530 Postal Ballots have been distributed.
As a unique initiative, three polling booths, namely MCM College, Sector 26, New Public School Sector 18 and Carmel Convent School, Sector 9 will be manned by all women staff, whereas the booth at Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 10 will be manned by the PwD staff.
The Election Department Chandigarh has made every possible step in making these elections accessible for the Persons with Disability Voters. Nodal Officer, Sh. Sandeep (Phone No: 8437870707) has been appointed to facilitate the transportation facility for these voters. Any PwD voter can call the Nodal officer or whatsapp their details on the given number to avail the transport facility. Apart from this, every booth will have ramps, wheelchairs, volunteers, EVM with Braille to facilitate these voters.
Smt. Nilambari Jagadale, SSP Chandigarh gave an overview about the three tier security arrangements and security forces deployed for the smooth conduct of elections. She further added that special deployment of forces has been done at the colony areas, and alert teams have been created to meet any emergency. Apart from this, around the area of every police station, a patrolling party has been made available.
