ADC meets leaders, makes them aware of code, EVMs

MOHALI: In the run-up to the parliamentary elections, additional deputy commissioner-cum-additional district election officer, Mohali, Sakshi Sawhney chaired a meeting with the representatives of all political parties in her office here on Tuesday. The meeting was also attended by the SDM Kharar Vinod Bansal and tehsildar (elections) Sanjay Kumar.
The politicians were informed about various aspects of the election process, including the model code of conduct, awareness on EVM/VVPATs and the nomination process.Sawhney said that code of conduct had come into force with the announcement of the election schedule and should be adhered to in letter and spirit. She apprised the political parties about form 26 and form A&B in detail. She said that none of the columns should be left blank in the affidavit in form 26.
The ADC added that first introduction to EVM/VVPATs will take place on March 30 and appealed to them to take part in this process. She said that representatives of all political parties should take all permissions through Suwidha App regarding campaigning and they should strictly adhere to all code of conduct guidelines.
Divulging more, Sawhney said that if the limit of 1,400 votes exceeded in any polling booth, then an auxiliary polling booth would be set up there. She also appealed to the representatives of the political parties that they must appoint their booth-level assistants as early as possible. She said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has issued instructions to candidates contesting the parliamentary elections to submit one extra recent stamp size photograph in addition to the one submitted by them, along with the nomination form, for printing on the ballot paper.
Later, discussions were held and queries of politicians were responded to by ADC Sawhney. She urged them to go through the ECI guidelines carefully for the conduct of free and fair elections. Joginder Kanwar of BJP, Sukhdev Singh of BSP, Mohinder Pal Singh of CPI, Harsangat Singh of SAD, Gagan Preet Singh of SAD (Taksali), Bahadar Singh Chahal of AAP and Sandeep Dhiman of Congress and some others representing various political parties were present.