SDOs must organise all party meets at Subdivision level by 17th April 2009

Nomination have started from today. Permission for meetings, processions, use of loudspeakers shall start pouring in the Police Stations from 16th April 2009 onwards. Moreover, use of vehicles for campaigning also needs permission of RO/ ARO. It is advised to SDOs to organise meetings with recognised political parties at Sub-divisional HQ immediately latest by 17th April 2009 to discuss :-

1. Procedure and modalities of permissions for meetings/ processions, use of loudspeakers by the candidates and political parties. Permissions for use of grounds of educational institutions can be issued by the authorities of such institutes on equatable basis and that has to be monitored by SDOs.
2. Issues related to Model Code of Conduct and its strict compliance.
3. Booth level meetings on 23rd April 2009 - EPIC distribution, photography programme from 26th April to 29th April 2009 and issues regarding electoral rolls.
4. EVM commissioning programme.
5. General law and order - appeal for cooperation.

Resolutions of such meetings should come to us by 17th April 2009 afternoon. Police officers and EROs/ BDOs may also attend these meetings.

Nomination for 12 Krishnagar and 13 Ranaghat PC starts today from 11 am to 3 pm daily

Notification for 12 Krishnagar and 13 Ranaghat Parliament Constituencies is to be issued on 11th April 2009. Notice in form by Returning Officer fixing the dates is being issued by 11 am today. Nominations shall be received at the Office of ROs at SrDC chamber for 12 Krishnagar PC and at visitors Room in front of ADM G chamber for 13 Ranaghat PC. Candidates may present nomination papers to ARO at sitting at these places ot to the RO in his chamber between 11 am to 3 pm daily on 11th, 13th, 16th, 17th and 18th April 2009.

No nominations shall be received on 12th, 14th and 15th due to public holiday.

Media centre has been set up in the Collectorate for dissemination of copies of nomination papers, affidavit of candidates and other papers free of cost. Copies of these papers can be collected from DICO after 4.30 pm daily, Daily list of nominations can be collected from media centre after 3.30 pm daily.

As per ECI directions, 100 m periphery of DM office Nadia has been declared sanitised zone with access control at the time of nominations. Candidates with four persons and three vehicles can only be allowed to enter 100 m at the time of nomination.

Election preparedness - DM Nadia's review of blocks

I visited BDO offices under Sadar Subdivision in last few days and had review of election preparedness with sector officers, election staffs and BDO/ Jt BDO. Some of the observations for follow up at all blocks :-

1. Sector Officers in most of the cases are new and not yet fully settled. They may not be aware about general circulars issued from DM & DEO regarding sectors, vulnerability, polling station verification, EPIC distribution, communication plan and MCC. Copies of relevant circulars and briefing to them should be done immediately. BDOs must pay personal attention on this issue.
2. Polling station verification report has been completed and sent to us from most of the blocks. It is possible that the report prepared by outgoing sector officers is incomplete or not up to date. It should be re verified and actions to solve the problem of tube well, toilets, separate entry/exit, approach road, ramps and petty repairs must be initiated without further loss of time so as to complete this prior to booth visit by observers from 18th April 2009. While drinking water tube wells sinking/ re sinking at booths to be done by PHE as per the requisition to be sent to Executive Engineer Nadia Division from the end of SDOs & AROs, toilets can be installed by BDOs with the help of sanitary mart. Fund for sanitation is being placed from District Sanitation cell. List of polling stations without ramps can be sent to CLRCs with copy to DPO SSM. DPO SSM is issuing orders to CLRCs to construct ramps as per direction out of funds placed to them for the purpose. Works at booths like separate entry/ exit, doors, window repairs etc can be taken up by BDOs out of conduct of election fund but with prior approval of estimates of each booth by SDOs. Total funds for the purpose per AC may not exceed rupees one lakh for all works taken together. Some of the amount can be availed from the maintenance grants to schools. Any works which needs larger amount should be avoided. We are not in favour of sanction of new NREGA scheme for polling station purpose or use of grants to Local Bodies for these purposes.
3. EPIC distribution should gear up, and also the sample checking of distribution.
4. SDOs may plan for marking of electoral rolls as soon as printed rolls are supplied. Experienced Staff from BDO office may be associated well in advance.
5. MCC teams at block must be properly explained instructions as in some cases confusion regarding videography, defacement of public property has cropped. Whatever direction RO has issued/ explained in the meeting in first week of April 2009 must be adhered to. Any deviation from the direction of DM & DEO, RO should not be resorted. Videography may be restricted to events as noted in ECI circular. Not all meetings are required to be covered by videography team except Star Campaigners, Public Meetings by ministers and violations of MCC.
6. BDOs must hold daily review meetings with his election team, involve all officers and staff, in a team spirit. Copies of circulars must be shared in these meetings.
7. SDOs must hold Sub-divisional level all party meetings at least once a week on conduct of election, MCC and seek their cooperation.