160 Micro Observers deployed, 32 cameras installed to ensure transparent polls

All arrangements finalized for free, fair, peaceful voting in Anantnag PC
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K, Mr. B. R. Sharma today said that all arrangements have been finalized for conduct of free, fair and peaceful polling in the Anantnag Parliamentary constituency tomorrow. He said over 160 Micro Observers, who are senior Central government functionaries, have been deployed and 32 video cameras installed to ensure free, fair and transparent polling across all the 16 Assembly segments of the constituency.
The Chief Electoral Officer said that polling parties have reached their respective polling stations and security forces are in position to ensure peaceful elections in the South Kashmir constituency. “Employees on poll duty have reported at all the 1,501 polling stations after computer randomization in presence of Election Observers”, he said, adding that about 150 Zonal and Sectoral Officers have also been deployed to monitor polling in the constituency.  
In order to ensure transparency in poll process, Mr. Sharma said that mock polls will be conducted at all the polling stations in presence of polling agents of the political parties. “Political parties have been requested to direct their polling agents to report at all the polling stations before 6.30 a.m. for mock polls so that functioning of EVMs is checked in time. In case the polling agents fail to report for mock poll, polling will start on schedule at 7 a. m”, the CEO explained. He added wherever mock polls are not conducted because of absence of polling agents, Presiding Officers’ diaries will be studied to ensure that voting has been held in a free and fair manner. 
In order to ensure that real time information is sourced from all the polling stations, the Chief Electoral officer said a Multi-level Communication Plan has been put in place, as was done in Jammu and Udhampur Parliamentary constituencies in the first and second phases of polling. “A telephony network has been established with all the polling stations and in case of complaint, prompt action will be taken and responsibility fixed within no time”. He, however, said that nearly 90 per cent reports of complaints received so far in the first two phases have been found baseless. 
The Chief Electoral Officer said vulnerability mapping and critical analysis of Anantnag Parliamentary constituency has also been undertaken on the basis of which 258 polling stations have been identified. He said Micro Observers will monitor polling in these polling stations, assisted by Zonal and Sectoral officers.