A delegation from the Election Commission of India (ECI) recently visited Haryana to assess the state’s poll readiness for the upcoming assembly elections, which are scheduled to be held on October 5.
This high-level delegation included Deputy Election Commissioner Hridesh Kumar, Secretary KP Singh, Principal Secretary Avinash Kumar, and SB Joshi. The team met with key state officials, including divisional commissioners, police officers, district election officers (DEOs), and electoral observers, during a detailed review session held in Chandigarh.
The meeting aimed to ensure that the state is fully prepared to conduct free and fair elections. During the session, the ECI representatives stressed the importance of maintaining law and order throughout the election process and emphasised the need for accurate and updated electoral rolls.
They directed officials to remove the names of deceased and relocated voters from the lists, ensuring that the electoral roll reflects the most accurate data possible.
The importance of transparency and accessibility to political parties was also highlighted, with DEOs being tasked with promptly addressing any election-related grievances.
One of the key areas of focus during the review was the condition of polling stations across the state. Deputy Election Commissioner Hridesh Kumar directed district officials, including deputy commissioners and superintendents of police, to personally inspect polling stations.
The inspections are to verify that essential facilities, such as voter booths, are in place and functioning efficiently. The ECI also stressed the need to establish voter facilitation booths at each polling station, with proper seating arrangements for voters standing in line.
An important aspect of the election process discussed was the deployment of webcasting from polling stations to ensure transparency and proper monitoring.
The ECI delegation recommended the use of high-resolution cameras for better surveillance while maintaining the secrecy of voting. These cameras will cover polling stations to enhance security without compromising the privacy of voters.
The team also emphasised the creation of special model polling booths, including "pink booths" managed entirely by women staff, youth-run polling stations, and booths overseen by employees with disabilities (PwD). This initiative aims to promote inclusivity and voter participation, making the voting process more accessible and encouraging.
Further discussions were held on the security arrangements for polling day. Police authorities provided a briefing on the steps being taken to ensure a safe election environment.
The ECI delegation expressed satisfaction with the deployment of central forces and state police but urged for increased coordination with neighbouring states to enhance surveillance in border areas.
Kumar directed officials to establish mirror checkpoints in interstate districts, particularly focusing on regions like Faridabad, Sonipat, and Gurugram, which require special efforts to ensure heightened security.
The issue of unsatisfactory seizure rates was raised during the review. The ECI recommended a more effective strategy for monitoring the work of flying squad teams and static surveillance teams.
Officials were directed to boost efforts in these areas to ensure that illegal activities, including cash flow and other election-related misconduct, are effectively curbed. While increasing surveillance, the team also emphasised minimising public inconvenience during these enforcement efforts.
In terms of voter facilitation, Haryana’s Chief Electoral Officer, Pankaj Agarwal, highlighted that provisions would be made for home voting for persons with disabilities and voters over the age of 85.
This initiative aims to ensure that all eligible voters have the opportunity to cast their vote, regardless of physical limitations. The process will be conducted under the supervision of the Returning Officer (RO), with videography to ensure transparency.
Other areas of focus during the meeting included preparations for counting centres, postal ballots, and training of polling staff. The ECI stressed the importance of proper planning and coordination to ensure that the election process runs smoothly.
They also urged district election officers to increase voter turnout through local and state-level efforts. Discussions covered plans for polling stations, queue management, and the setup of theme polling stations designed to make the voting process more engaging for voters.
The ECI delegation left with clear instructions for the state’s officials to ensure free, fair, and smooth elections. Emphasising the importance of accountability and proper planning, they directed local authorities to maintain close coordination with political parties, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders involved in the election process.
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