Port Blair, Feb 01: The office of the Director (Panchayat and Municipal Elections) imparted training to Returning Officers, Assistant Returning Officers and Master Trainers for the upcoming Elections. Mr. Som Naidu DANICS (Retd) was the resource person who briefed various acts and rules pertaining to conduct of elections in the UTs.
The Returning Officers/Assistant Returning Officers of South Andaman District and the Master Trainers from North and Middle Andaman District, Great Nicobar Island and Little Andaman were briefed about the formation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) teams comprising civil and police officers for taking immediate action against all critical events viz. Violent incidents, damaging of property, looting, arson, brandishing of arms etc., Booth capturing, Intimidation of voters, Inducement/bribing of voters by distribution of items like saree, dhoti, blankets etc., Canvassing within 100 meters of polling stations, Vulgar display of expenditure like huge cut-outs etc., Movement and activities of candidates with doubtful criminal records, Hypersensitive & sensitive polling stations, Riots or riotous situations or commotions brick batting, free-for-all etc.
It was further briefed about the important events that should be scrupulously monitored by the Returning Officers/Assistant Returning Officers such as nomination, scrutiny and withdrawal of candidatures, Preparation of Ballot Box by ROs, Closure of strong room after deposit of Ballot Box therein and Opening of strong rooms before taking out the Ballot Box for counting process.
Mr. Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, Director (Panchayat and Municipal Elections) briefed about the important role of the Returning Officers/Assistant Returning Officers in the ensuing Panchayat and Municipal Elections. He has asked all the RO/ARO to attend the briefing classes to acquaint themselves so that the election is conducted in free and fair manner and as per the election procedures contained in the Election Rules. He further emphasized that all the personnel engaged for the Elections play a pivotal role from the commencement of the election process till its completion.
The Director (Panchayat and Municipal Elections) also inspected the proposed Distribution Centre at Netaji Stadium and Proposed collection centre and Strong Room for the ensuing elections for Gram Panchayats and Municipal Council at Netaji Stadium and JNRM complex.
