State Election Commissioner Reviews Election Preparations in Sukma District, Emphasizes Smooth and Peaceful Polling

Sukma, Chhattisgarh – State Election Commissioner Shri Ajay Singh conducted a comprehensive review of election preparedness in Sukma district, ensuring the smooth and peaceful conduct of urban body and tri-level panchayat elections. During a meeting with senior administrative officials at the district helipad meeting hall, Shri Singh assessed the latest election status and issued necessary directives.

Collector Shri Devesh Kumar Dhruv provided detailed information about the arrangements for the urban body and tri-level panchayat elections. He highlighted that there are 17,511 voters in urban bodies and 1,70,228 voters in the tri-level panchayat elections. A total of 31 polling centers have been set up for urban body elections, all categorized as general polling centers. For the tri-level panchayat elections, 375 polling centers have been established, including 217 sensitive and 104 highly sensitive centers. Shri Dhruv emphasized ensuring adequate arrangements for sensitive polling centers.

Superintendent of Police Shri Kiran Chavan briefed the Commissioner on security measures, ensuring robust arrangements for all polling centers.

Inspection of Polling Centers and Strong Rooms
Following the meeting, Shri Singh visited the polling center at Primary School Janpadpara, Sukma, to inspect voter facilities and issued necessary instructions. He later inspected the strong room and vote counting site at the Government ITI College. Shri Singh directed officials to ensure timely arrangements for security, CCTV surveillance, and other basic necessities at the strong room. He also reviewed facilities such as electricity, drinking water, toilets, barricading, parking, and seating arrangements for election agents at the counting site.

EVM Awareness Campaign
Shri Singh observed an EVM awareness camp in Kumharras and stressed the need for extensive publicity regarding EVM usage. He explained that this year, voters will cast two votes on a single machine—one for the councilor and another for the mayor/chairperson. He urged officials to educate voters thoroughly about the EVM process and ensure strict adherence to the model code of conduct.

During his interaction with voters, Shri Singh explained the voting process, stating, “This time, you will vote for both the councilor and mayor/chairperson positions. Press the button twice on the EVM machine, and you will hear two beeps, confirming your vote. Exercise your voting rights wisely.”

Appreciation and Final Directives
Shri Singh commended the district administration for their election preparations and issued final directives to ensure the urban body and tri-level panchayat elections are conducted smoothly and peacefully.

The inspection was attended by Bastar Divisional Commissioner Shri Doman Singh, IG Bastar Shri P. Sundarraj, Collector Shri Devesh Kumar Dhruv, SP Shri Kiran Chavan, District CEO Smt. Namrata Jain, Additional Collector Shri Gajendra Singh Thakur, Joint Collector Shri Suraj Kashyap, and other election-related officials.