Micro observers to minutely note every proceeding at polling booths- Heera Lal

SAS Nagar, May 21, 2024– In the run-up to getting ready for free, fair and transparent Lok Sabha Elections-2024 in SAS Nagar District scheduled on June 1, 2024, the first randomization of Micro Observers was done at the District Administrative Complex, Mohali in the presence of the General Observer for Ananadpur Sahib, Dr Heera Lal, District Election Officer Mrs Aashika Jain and representatives of political parties on Monday. In this randomization, the personnel from banks have been deployed for the duty of Micro Observer while they would be assigned a place of work during the next randomization. Divulging the details while terming the micro-observers eyes and ears of the Election Commission of India (ECI), General Observer Dr Heera Lal said that the Micro-observers would play a pivotal role in holding free, fair, peaceful and transparent elections in the district. He said that micro observers would have to keep close vigil on the overall election process of the polling booth/s assigned to them. Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Electoral Officer, Mrs Aashika Jain while listing the duties of Micro Observers said that they would have to get the mock poll done before the actual polling starts on polling day by the polling staff, besides ensuring that election work would be carried out in a free and fair manner and there is no violation of any kind.

The deputation of Micro-Observers has been done on those polling locations that have been identified as Vulnerable/Critical/housing four booths in a single building. She said that In the SAS Nagar district, a total of 61 Micro Observers would perform their duties at these locations. Briefing about the constituency-wise break-up, she added that Kharar would have 27 Micro Observers while SAS Nagar 16 and Derabassi 18. Besides, 100 per cent of personnel have been kept in reserve. The training for SAS Nagar and Kharar will be held on May 25 at Ropar while for Derabassi it has been scheduled on May 23 at Patiala. Further, General Observer Dr Heera Lal and Deputy Commissioner Mrs Aashika Jain said that the micro observers would have to report about facilities in the polling station, ensure presence of polling agents, proper identification of electors by ECI, writing down particulars of electors in register 17-A, including mentioning documents used to identify the voter, to ensure marking of indelible ink on forefinger, secrecy of voting, conduct of polling agents, their complaints and others. Additional District Election Officer Viraj S Tidke, Election Tehsildar Sanjay Kumar and District Information Officer Mrs Anu Gupta were also present during the randomization.