CS warns of strict action against govt employees found involved in election campaigns
ITANAGAR, Jan 16: Chief Secretary Satya Gopal has warned that strict action will be taken against government employees who are found to be involved in campaigns related to election during the ensuing election.
He said this while presiding over the ‘Voter Awareness Forums’ meeting at the chief secretary’s conference hall, here on Wednesday.
Advising government employees to “act in the most neutral manner” following the Model Code of Conduct, the CS said that guidelines of the MCC should be followed by all government employees in letter and spirit.
He also stated that in order to conduct a peaceful, fair and transparent election process in the state, all possible functionaries will be used and taken up into consideration.
The chief secretary also addressed two major components of the election process viz, transfer posting of APCS officers, and arrangement and deployment of security personnel.
He put it on record that the APCS officers that are being/will be posted should adhere to the decision taken with regard to the transfer posting without fail.
With an understanding that the presence of adequate police and para-military personnel will determine peaceful election process, the chief secretary also asked the director general of police to put forward demand for adequate security personnel for peaceful conduct of election in the state.
Gopal further opined that demands and estimates of expected expenditure related to the ensuing election should be placed strictly as per requirement and after proper scrutiny.
Chief Election Officer Kaling Tayeng, while briefing the house on the objective of voter awareness programme, sought cooperation from all department heads present in the meeting for successful and peaceful conduct of election in the state.
The ‘Voter Awareness Forums’ is an endeavour of the ECI to promote awareness on the registration and voting process and for sensitizing the members on value of vote.
The principal secretary Home, director general of police, commissioners, secretaries, chief engineers, and directors were also present in the meeting.
Similarly, voters’ awareness forums were launched at various districts of the state on the same day.
In Khonsa, Tirap EAC and in-charge Deputy Commissioner Tage Mibang advised all the government employees to maintain absolute neutrality while on election duty.
Earlier, nodal officer (SVEEP)-cum-DDMO, Papang Duggong highlighted about the ‘Voter Awareness Forums’ and its role and responsibilities and gave a power point presentation regarding registration and checking of name activities.
Later, DSO (Statistical) Nokgen Wangsu demonstrated EVM, VVPAI operation and a mock poll in which all HoDs participated.
In Bomdila, AERO, P Monpa, EAC and DNO (SVEEP) G Taga, reiterated on the importance of SVEEP activities and said that nationwide launch of the voter awareness forums simultaneously with activities to run campaign for voter verification & information (VVIP) programme in the state would go a long way in enhancing electoral participation.
Later, an elaborate power point presentation on VAF and VVIP was made by the DNO (SVEEP) followed by activities like registration, name check and build the ballot for the HoDs and other representatives from various departments.
A demonstration on EVM and VVPAT was also made to acquaint the voters regarding the authenticity of the machines which would be used in the forthcoming elections.
In Tezu, the forum was launched at the DC’s office by Tezu ERO Pricilla Tayeng.
The ERO informed the gathering about various forms, such as Form-6 for enrolment, form-7 for deletion, form-8 for correction and form-8A for transposition and about the various electoral processes.
She also gave awareness on VVPAT and EVM use and asked the nodal officers to disseminate information to others on all that they have learned in the programme.
Indira Gandhi College, Tezu Associate Professor, Brajen Das and district SVEEP Nodal officer gave a brief introduction on the awareness forum which was followed by registration and name-check activities at the NVSP by IT staff of the DEO office.
The voter awareness forums were also launched simultaneously at Changlang headquarters, Bordumsa, Miao, Jairampur and Kharsang circles with massive participation from government and private organisations, public leaders, NGOs, GBs, villagers and other stakeholders.
In Changlang, EAC Mary N Taloh stressed upon the importance of adult suffrage and urged everyone present to empower themselves in a democracy by casting their vote compulsorily on poll day.
Demonstrations of EVM/VVPAT machines and videos on electoral process were shown to all present in the Changlang headquarters and administrative circles.
Subsequent SVEEP activities, awareness and demonstration of EVM/VVPAT are being undertaken in Changlang district polling station-wise in all the five assembly constituencies from 17 January till February.
In Ziro, DC in-charge Hage Tarung appealed to all the HoDs to form the awareness forum in their respective departments and submit the list of nodal officers for liaising and coordinating with the election office to ensure all the employees are registered and informed voters.