Second Randomization of Polling Personnel in the presence of Micro-Observer, Mayanglambam Premnath Singh, Sr. AO (Audit) at ADC office, Pughoboto
Dimapur, April 8 (MExN): To facilitate voting for essential workers, the casting of postal ballots began on April 8 at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The process was overseen by Litsenthung Kikon, EAC and the Nodal Officer for Postal Ballots. Kikon informed that out of 18 eligible essential voters 15 cast their votes on the first day of the voting day. The postal ballot voting is scheduled to continue till April 10, and will take place from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm each day at the DC‘s Office, Dimapur.
Postal ballots for absentee voters
In a bid to ensure that senior citizens above the age of 65 years and persons with disabilities (PwDs) exercise their voting rights conveniently, Litsenthung Kikon, EAC and Nodal Officer for Postal Ballots in Dimapur, on April 8, informed that postal ballots for absentee voters will commence on April 9. The distribution process will continue until April 10, starting from 9:00 am onwards. Kikon revealed that a total of 179 absentee voters in Dimapur will be catered to during this initiative. He also informed that to efficiently reach out to these voters, nine teams have been formed to cover Dimapur I, II, and III simultaneously. These teams will be deployed to go door-to-door, ensuring that every eligible absentee voter will vote via the postal ballot without any inconvenience, stated a DIPR report.
Commissioning and preparation of EVMs-VVPATs
Dimapur: Commissioning and preparation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines for the upcoming 18th Lok Sabha election took place at the DC’s Office in Dimapur on April 8. The Strong Room was opened in the presence of representatives from all political parties and representatives from contesting candidates, Assistant Returning Officers (AROs), Vineikho Tetso Returning Officer, and the Nodal Officer for EVM/VVPAT, Dimapur, Toshimongba Longchar, Assistant Election Officer, Dimapur, Yanthungbenmo Kikon, SDO (Civil) and Nodal Officer for transport and Dr Tinojongshi Chang, NCS, DC and DEO, Dimapur. It is to be mentioned that the commissioning of EVM/VVPAT will continue till April 9 starting from 9:00 am at DC’s Office, Dimapur.
Pughoboto: EVM engineers from the Election Commission of India commenced with the Commissioning of EVMs/VVPATs for upcoming General Election to the 18th Lok Sabha, in respect of 13-Pughoboto AC on April 8 at DB Hall, Pughoboto. Master trainers and representatives from various political attended the exercise. In compliance to the ECI's instruction on Randomisation of Polling Personnel, the Second Randomization of Polling Personnel under 13-Pughoboto AC was also done at Room No. 1, Office of the ADC & DEO, on April 8, in the presence of Micro-Observer, Mayanglambam Premnath Singh, Sr. AO (Audit).
Wokha: The 2nd round of randomisation for polling personnel for all the Assembly Constituencies under Wokha district was held in the presence of Expenditure Observer for Wokha district, Satya Brata, IRAS on April 7. Altogether, there are 215 polling stations for all the four assembly constituencies, i.e. 37 Tyui, 38 Wokha, 39 Sanis & 40 Bhandari A/C under Wokha. DC & DEO, Wokha Ajit Kumar Ranjan informed that they are 60 all-female polling stations and 155 male polling stations, comprising of 426 female personnel and 936 male polling personnel. Earlier, the Expenditure Observer also had a meeting with all the Assistant Expenditure Observers of 37th Tyui, 38th Wokha, 39th Sanis & 40 Bhandari A/C at DC’s office chamber where he briefed the observers about the various activities to be carried out and also urged them to act as per the laid guideline and prepare details report minute by minute and submit the same accordingly.
Webcasting Training, others
In an initiative to enhance the efficiency of the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, a webcasting training program was organized for operators in Dimapur on April 8 at Dimapur Government College.
Led by Master Trainers Imnatoshi and Imnajongshi, the training session focused on providing hands-on experience to the operators. A total of 87 polling stations in Dimapur were covered during the training, ensuring comprehensive preparation for the electoral process.
Out of 87 polling stations in Dimapur, webcasting training was conducted for 77 stations through video and online platforms. Additionally, offline training was provided for the remaining 9 polling stations.
On April 9, a mock drill is set to be carried out for 20% of the polling stations in Dimapur. This exercise aims to simulate real-life scenarios and test the preparedness of polling station personnel, ensuring smooth operations on the day of the elections.
Following the initial mock drill, a second round is scheduled for April 12, covering 50% of the polling stations in Dimapur.
Mon: A training of operators for webcasting/ offline videography was held at Government Higher Secondary School Mon on April 8. The training was attended by all BLOs/Operators of the identified polling stations of Mon district and was trained by the master trainers.
Longleng: DC & DEO, Longleng conducted the second phase training of the polling personal for those stationed in and around Longleng, on April 8 at Bautung Government Higher Secondary School, Longleng. Altogether, there are 693 Polling Personal & Grade IV drafted for the election duty and six dedicated Master trainers are training the polling personnel on different polling procedures and voting procedures. The Polling Personnel consisting of Presiding Officer, 1st Polling Officer, 2nd Polling Officer, 3rd Polling Officer and Grade IV employees. For those stationed in and around Tamlu Sub-Division, training will be held on April 9 at ADC Office Tamlu. The 3rd phase of training is scheduled to be held on April 16.
