April 25,2024
||Black and White Digital News||
In a dramatic turn of events leading up to tomorrow’s critical polling day in the Jammu-Reasi Parliamentary constituency, a flurry of last-minute security measures and logistical arrangements have been put in place, ensuring that all aspects of the electoral process are meticulously attended to.
The conclusion of election campaigning this evening was marked by intensified security protocols, as District Magistrate Jammu imposed prohibitory orders across the district. Meanwhile, the administrations of Rajouri and Poonch districts took the unprecedented step of suspending Virtual Private Network (VPN) services on mobile phones, citing the need for enhanced data security during the election period.
Jammu-Reasi, a constituency comprising 11 Assembly seats in Jammu district along with three each from Reasi and Samba districts, is set to witness an intricate deployment of security forces across potentially vulnerable areas. Despite the historically peaceful nature of the assembly segments, election authorities are leaving nothing to chance. They have bolstered security with a significant presence of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel at all strategic locations.
Preparations for the polls include extensive surveillance measures, with 1454 Polling Stations equipped with CCTV cameras for live webcasting to control rooms set up at district and CEO offices. Another 124 polling stations will have dual-camera setups for comprehensive inside-outside surveillance, ensuring voter privacy is upheld.
The scale of readiness is staggering, with over 2000 vehicles equipped with GPS tracking to monitor the movement of polling parties and sector officers, preventing any potential irregularities such as overspeeding. Furthermore, 13 Polling Stations located in communication shadow areas have been outfitted with satellite phones, wireless sets, and special communication channels to guarantee seamless connectivity.
Monitoring activities and compliance with the Model Code of Conduct are being overseen by a sophisticated Command and Control Room at the CEO office in Jammu, complemented by Mini Control Rooms at every DEO office, all operational 24/7. This setup enables real-time scrutiny of election-related activities, electronic and social media channels, as well as live feeds from more than half of the Polling Stations and all vehicles involved in poll operations.
The charismatic incumbent, Jugal, seeks an unprecedented third consecutive term from the Jammu-Reasi seat, facing formidable opposition from Raman Bhalla of the Congress, as well as candidates from Ekam Sanatan Bharat Dal (ESBD) and BSP. A total of 22 candidates are vying for victory in this pivotal constituency.
The electorate comprises a staggering 17.81 lakh eligible voters spread across 2416 Polling Stations, including some located along the International Border and Line of Control. This vast constituency has been meticulously divided, with specific polling stations designated as Green, Pink, and PwD (Persons with Disabilities) manned stations to cater to diverse voter needs.
In the backdrop of an enduring ceasefire between India and Pakistan since February 2021, authorities express confidence in maintaining peaceful polling operations, reaffirming a contingency plan to address any border-related disruptions.
As the electoral drama unfolds tomorrow, the eyes of the nation will be on Jammu-Reasi, where the battle for parliamentary representation promises to be not only historic but also a testament to the elaborate security and administrative machinery in place to uphold the sanctity of democratic principles.
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