AP Local Body Polls: SEC Anil Chandra Punetha Reviews Readiness
State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha holds a high-level review meeting to ensure smooth and fair local body elections in Andhra Pradesh.
As Andhra Pradesh gears up for its local body elections, State Election Commissioner Anil Chandra Punetha has taken a proactive stance to ensure the process is seamless. In a high-level video conference held on Monday, the Commissioner conducted a comprehensive review of the arrangements to guarantee that the democratic exercise is conducted with absolute transparency and order.
High-Level Coordination Meeting
The review meeting saw a gathering of top administration and security officials. Joining the State Election Commissioner were State Election Commission Secretary A Mallikarjuna and IG B Rajakumari. The conference served as a critical touchpoint for district collectors, Superintendents of Police (SPs), Police Commissioners, municipal commissioners, Zilla Parishad CEOs, and District Panchayat Officers (DPOs), along with election observers.
The primary objective of the session was to evaluate the current state of election preparations, the level of coordination between various government departments, and the strategies in place to maintain law and order across the state.
Strict Directives for Field Officers
Commissioner Punetha left no room for ambiguity regarding the expectations from the officials. He issued a clear mandate for all concerned departments to work in tight coordination and adhere strictly to the guidelines laid down by the Election Commission.
Key points emphasized by the State Election Commissioner included:
- Continuous Monitoring: The need for constant oversight of arrangements at the field level to preempt and prevent any untoward incidents.
- Code of Conduct: A strict directive to enforce the election code of conduct without compromise to ensure a level playing field.
- Accountability: A strong focus on transparency and accountability throughout the electoral process.
- Prompt Resolution: Officials were instructed to be responsive and resolve any emerging issues on a district-wise basis immediately.
Ensuring a Peaceful Voting Experience
The Commissioner stressed that the ultimate goal is to ensure that voters face zero inconvenience. He called for a collective effort from all departments to foster a peaceful atmosphere where elections can be conducted freely and fairly.
Security and Administrative Support
During the conference, State Election Commission Secretary A Mallikarjuna addressed specific queries and concerns raised by the district-level officials to clear any operational bottlenecks.
On the security front, IG B Rajakumari provided updates on the police department's readiness. She noted that DGP Harish Kumar Gupta has been maintaining a rigorous schedule, conducting teleconference review meetings with SPs and Police Commissioners every morning and evening to monitor law-and-order situations closely.
Key Participants in the Review
The comprehensive review also saw the participation of other senior officials, including:
- N Madhusudana Reddy, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order)
- Sampath Kumar, Director of Municipal Administration and Urban Development
- Mailavarapu Venkata Ramakrishna Teja, CPR