Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI: In view of the ensuing panchayat elections in the state, the district commissioners have delegated powers to the 39 co-district commissioners to conduct panchayat elections.
The Panchayat and Rural Development (P&RD) Department has issued an office memorandum spelling out the role of the Co-District Commissioners in the conduct of panchayat elections. The guidelines are:
1. Election management: The office of Co-District Commissioners will be responsible for the overall supervision and management of the election process within their jurisdiction. The Co-District Commissioners are to ensure that the election is conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner.
2. Constitution of cells: The office of Co-District Commissioners will constitute different necessary cells for the Panchayat Election.
3. Nomination process: The office of Co-District Commissioners will be responsible for the issuance of nomination papers, receiving of nominations, scrutiny, and preparation of a list of contesting candidates and allotment of symbols, etc.
4. Implementation of election code of conduct: The office of Co-District Commissioners will ensure that the Model Code of Conduct for the Election is followed, preventing the use of unfair practices such as vote-buying, undue influence, campaign violations, etc.
5. Voter education and awareness: The office of Co-District Commissioners will play a role in spreading awareness about the election process, voting rights, and the importance of free and fair elections, often through local campaigns, media, and outreach programmes.
6. Voter Assistance Booths (VAB): The office of Co-District Commissioners will ensure that a Voter Assistance Booth with a team of officials is set up for every polling station location in order to assist voters to correctly locate her/his polling booth number and serial number in the electoral roll of that concerned polling booth.
7. Health Care Facility: The office of Co-District Commissioners will ensure that separate arrangements at the Dispatch/Receiving Centre are made for health care/first aid assistance to polling personnel.
8. Law and order maintenance: The office of Co-District Commissioners will have the authority to take necessary measures to maintain law and order during the election process. This includes deploying adequate police personnel, ensuring security at polling stations, and dealing with any disturbances or violations of election laws.
9. Monitoring of Election Expenditure: The office of Co-District Commissioners will monitor the election expenditures of the contesting candidates.
10. Availability of Polling Material: The office of Co-District Commissioners will ensure availability and readiness of the polling materials.
11. Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF): The office of Co-District Commissioners will ensure Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) in every polling station in coordination with the line departments, etc.
12. Infrastructure: The office of Co-District Commissioners will identify material distribution centres, strong rooms, and counting centres within their jurisdiction.
13. Handling Emergency Situations: In case of emergencies like natural disasters, unrest, or violence during elections, the Co-District Commissioners will take quick decisions and measures to address the situation and ensure that the elections proceed smoothly.
14. Transportation: The office of Co-District Commissioners, after assessing the requirement of vehicles, will requisition the required number of vehicles for hassle-free movement of polling personnel.
15. Food & Refreshment: The office of Co-District Commissioners will arrange food & refreshments for the Polling Personnel on the day of Material Collection, Material Submission, and Counting days.
16. Remuneration to the polling personnel: The office of Co-District Commissioners will provide remuneration to the polling personnel after proper estimation and scrutiny, both during training and during the polling days and counting.
17. Zilla Parishad Constituency: The office of Co-District Commissioners will be in charge of the election and related permissible activities for the Zilla Parishad Constituency falling under the respective Co-District. District Commissioners will determine whether the Co-District Commissioner or District Commissioner will procure statutory and non-statutory materials. However, the required funds will be transferred to the District Commissioners only.
The District Commissioner will supervise the entire election process, including the financial matters, and will provide support, manpower, and guidance to the Co-Districts.
It will be the District Commissioner's responsibility for:
1. Randomisation of polling personnel, counting personnel, and ballot boxes
2. Training of all personnel involved in the election.
3. Overall responsibility of strong rooms is in their custody, but they may designate an officer as in charge.
4. Declaration of final results.
Also read: Assam: Polling Stations in the State Increased by 1,011
Also Watch: