Port Blair, Feb 16: The Director, Panchayat and Municipal Elections, A&N Islands Mr. Suneel Anchipaka, IAS accompanied by the Officer-In-Charge (Elections) visited the Shaheed Dweep to take first-hand stock of the arrangements and preparation for the ensuing Panchayat Elections.
During the visit, he held a meeting with the local representatives of the Political Parties, officials of Line Departments, Police and urged their cooperation in conducting the elections in a free and fair manner.
He further reviewed the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) with the Police and Sector Officers and it was informed that there was no case of MCC violations till now.
He requested all concerned to ensure COVID protocols as per the guidelines issued by the Election Commission for UTs in letter and spirit and reiterated that any violation in this regard will be dealt severely.
During the interaction, some local issues related to ferry and health services were raised, to which he assured early redressal of the same. He replied to all the queries of representatives of the Political Parties.
DPME with officials of the Line Department inspected the Polling Stations at Shaheed Dweep to review the Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs). He issued specific instructions to the concerned officials of the Line Department to ensure that the AMFs such as Signage, Help Desk, Ramp, Toilets, Drinking Water, Separate Entry and Exit, Lighting, and Furniture as specified by the Election Commission should be made ready for the smooth conduct of the polling
An emergency patient was also evacuated from Shaheed Dweep to Port Blair under his supervision for which the government ferry for Swaraj Dweep was diverted back to Port Blair and the passengers bound for Swaraj Dweep were shifted in the private vessel for their journey to Swaraj Dweep.
The DPME also visited schools at Shaheed Dweep and interacted with the students. He urged the local populace to come forward and exercise their franchise to their elect representatives in the upcoming elections.
