IT News
Imphal, Feb 10:
As directed by the ECI team which had visited the state on February 7 and 8 , the CEO Manipur has taken up all initiative to open 529 polling booth to be run by all women brigade.
The decision was made to make sure that maximum voters turn out for casting their vote after being reviewed the poll preparedness with Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, Chief Electoral Officer, State Police Nodal Officer, DG Assam Rifles, recognized National/State political parties, District Election Officers, Superintendents of Police and Enforcement Agencies. Overall, the Commission was satisfied with the preparedness in the state.
The Commission expressed satisfaction with Manipur on initiatives like taking up 529 All Women Polling Stations, initiatives on the front of reaching out to centenarian voters and transgender voters, Mission 300 with the objective to improve the voter turnout in the 300Low Voter turnout Polling booths of the state.
A SVEEP Exhibition was conducted wherein few first-time voters, 80+ voters and Students who have won Ballot quiz were felicitated. Photo exhibition of all SVEEP activities of 11 Electoral Districts were displayed.
The following are the All Women Polling station proposed, district wise:
Imphal East (130), Churachandpur (110), Thoubal (71), Imphal West (53) Bishnupur(50), Ukhrul(45), Tamenglong (33), Chandel (20), Kangpokpi (9), Jiribam (5), Senapati (3), all will have Women Polling personnel. Further 115 Model Polling Stations will also be established.
The Commission also met with delegation from All Manipur Christian Organization, and has heard their grievances, and have assured that their concerns will be discussed and a decision will be communicated at the earliest.
The Commission has reiterated that it has zero tolerance towards abuse of money power or government machinery. The Commission has assured the political party representatives that level playing field will be ensured for all parties so that the electoral process is not vitiated.
The Commission, after the review has directed the Chief Secretary, Manipur to shift the State Commissioner of Taxes, and Commissioner (Excise) and provide panel of Officers to be posted as Commissioner of Taxes and Excise. On production of panel list, Commission has conveyed approval of appointment of Mr. Devesh Deval IAS, as Commissioner (Taxes) and Mr. P.K. Jha, IAS as Commissioner (Excise).
Postal Ballots:
So far 903 valid requests received for PwD voters, 5243 for 80+ Voters and 15 for Essential Service voters (Total of 6161). The last date of opting for Postal Ballot for first phase was 06.02.2022 and for second phase was on 09.02.2022. Polling teams have been formed and voters are being informed of the Postal Ballot voting date. Micro Observers will oversee polling teams and videography will be done, maintaining the secrecy of voting.
ETPBs will be dispatched by concerned ROs electronically to 13274 Service voters in first phase and 8667 voters in second phase, within 24 hours from the date of withdrawal.
Airlifting Plan: Airlifting plan in place for the following no. of Polling Stations. In case of any emergency, the Presiding Officers along with EVM/VVPAT machines will be airlifted from such identified Polling Stations. Further an Air ambulance will be deployed to airlift any person, in case of emergency/casualties.
Law & Order/ Seizure (Till 09.02.2022)
Since the day of Announcement of election, all Enforcement Agencies have been monitoring movement of cash, liquor, precious metals and other valued items. So far, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized 15826.58 grams of gold worth Rs. 7.71 crore. DRI has also seized 15,86,800 cigarette sticks on 06.02.2022 worth Rs. 3.1736 crore. A joint operation conducted by DRI, Customs and State Police also made a seizure of 19,90,000 cigarette sticks on 06.02.2022 worth Rs. 3.38 crore also.
Income Tax Department made a total of Rs. 1.475 crore so far. Necessary procedures have been taken up under relevant extant laws for further investigation. A total of 1284 acres of poppy cultivation has been destroyed so far in by NAB, SAB and State Police.
Flying Squad, Static Surveillance Teams, State Police and Excise Department has seized 29864.89 ltrs of liquor worth Rs. 0.4175 crore.
Observers
20 General Observer , 11 Police observers 20 expenditure Observers and 3 Special Observers of first phase have arrived and have conducted meeting with DEOs/SPs. The three Special Observers have also conducted meeting with some of the Districts and took stock of the preparedness.
Voter Facilitator App: A mobile app has been developed by CEO, Manipur. The App has features including information on average queue waiting time, Wheelchair service booking facility. The APP has been launched, and the same may be availed by the Public from Google Play-store.
Publication of Manifesto during prohibitory period: Manifesto not to be released during the prohibitory period in both phases as prescribed under Section 126 of the RPA, 1951{Last 48 hours before the close of poll}.
COVID Management: So far 69% and 53.39% of the Electors are vaccinated with single dose and second dose respectively. Around 21817 polling personnel trained are completely vaccinated. A total of 4751 precautionary Doses were administered to Polling Parties. 9500 Police personnel are vaccinated with Precautionary doses. 98.7% and 84.5% of Police personnel are given 1st Dose and 2nd Doses respectively. All the election machinery who have completed 90 days from the date of second dose are being administered precautionary doses. All Polling stations will be completely vaccinated one day before the poll day. Thermal Screening will be done in all the polling stations. Provisions such as Hand sanitizers, PPE kits, Hand gloves and Masks will be made in all polling stations. ASHAs/Volunteers will be employed in all the Polling stations to assist voters and also ensure Covid appropriate behaviors.
Regular meetings are held with Power Department, MSPDCL, MSPCL, DoT, Telecom Service providers to ensure Network connectivity, disruption- free Power during the Poll days. Also biweekly meeting is being held with SPNO and IG (CRPF) for making induction plan of CAPF Coys for both phases of the Elections along with Security review and Communication Plan for ensuing General elections to the 12th Legislative Assembly. Shadow area Action Plan is in place for 62 polling stations across State. Satellite phones, VHFs and other booster measures will be made to communication gaps.
A 24×7 Media Cell is monitoring social media and to take appropriate actions in case if Political parties/ Candidates are indulging in spreading Fake news, Hate Speeches and such reports are sent to CEO daily. Strict vigil on suspected cases of Paid news is done by Media Cell. All Social media pages of Candidates and Political parties are monitored in a real-time basis, said a statement by Rajesh Agrawal, Chief Electoral Officer, Manipur.
