STATE TIMES NEWS
KATHUA: Government has set up 100 Model Polling Stations (MPS) and over 70 Voter Facilitation Counters (VFCs) for electorate in Kathua border district.
“More than 100 MPS are being established in the district where voter friendly facilities will be provided which include proper seating arrangement, drinking water, sanitation, assistance for special voters, women and elders in Kathua District,” District Election Officer Dr Shahid Iqbal said on Thursday.
Similarly, teams have been constituted at Polling Booth Level for electoral awareness and various special campaigns besides more than 70 VFCs have been started by district administration, the DEO said.
A special plan has also been formulated for polling stations in snow bound areas and in migratory zones for better electoral participation in elections, he said.
Authorities have launched electoral awareness campaign under Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) in the district.
Under SVEEP, special awareness campaigns have been launched for women, youth, nomads, and border residents, urban and rural areas as well as identified low turnout polling stations in the district.
Campaigns have been launched by Departments of Agriculture, Rural Development, Panchayats, Health and Revenue, as per the plan formulated under SVEEP, he said.
Besides, events like farmers’ camps, sports activities, electoral conferences, Gramsabhas and mass pledges have been rolled for greater electoral awareness and participation.
Iqbal, who met over 250 Lamberdars at Government Degree College regarding electoral awareness and their proactive role in involvement of masses, called upon the village Lamberdars and Chowkidars to hold meetings at hamlet level and appealed the people to participate in greater numbers during the forthcoming Assembly elections.
He said that electoral literacy material is also being provided at polling booths and in villages for ensuring greater electoral literacy and facilitating ethical and informed voting.
He directed the Returning Officers and Tehsildars for implementation of SVEEP plan in letter and spirit.