Poll observers meet electoral officials

General observer for the upcoming Jubilee Hills byelection Ranjit Kumar Singh, police observer Om Prakash Tripathy and expenditure observer Sanjiv Kumar Lal met the district election officials, including the District Election Officer and GHMC Commissioner R.V.Karnan and Additional Commissioner (Elections) Hemanth Keshav Patil, on Tuesday.

Mr. Karnan presented a comprehensive overview of the election management plan and preparatory arrangements through a detailed presentation. The presentation covered a wide range of critical aspects, including important election dates and the official schedule, electoral profile and arrangements at polling stations, manpower mobilisation and training of personnel, procurement and transportation of election materials, Election Commission’ IT initiatives, law & order, EVM management and strong room protocols, implementation of model code of conduct, election expenditure monitoring and control measures, and others.

Addressing the officials, Mr. Ranjit Kumar Singh urged all officers, nodal officials, and polling staff to perform their duties with neutrality, diligence and integrity, upholding the principles of free and fair elections. During a review of seizure data, the DEO informed that while 90 lakh was seized in the previous Assembly election, ₹2.25 crore has been seized so far in the ongoing byelection. The General Observer told officials to ensure strict enforcement of the MCC and the time-bound redressal of all cVIGIL complaints as per ECI guidelines.

Mr. Om Prakash Tripathy instructed officers to strictly adhere to ECI protocols, take firm action on any MCC violations, and complete all election-related tasks within the stipulated timelines. Mr. Sanjiv Kumar Lal underscored the necessity of meticulous accounting for every rupee spent by political parties and candidates, in strict compliance with ECI expenditure monitoring norms.

Following the meeting, the three observers, accompanied by Mr. Karnan, visited the Returning Officer’s office at the Shaikpet Tahsildar Office, Banjara Hills. There, they inspected the arrangements for the nomination process and reviewed the on-ground preparedness.