TFP Bureau, Raipur, May 6, 2024: Trainee IAS officers from the 2023 batch in Chhattisgarh engaged in an enlightening session with Chief Electoral Officer Smt. Reena Babasaheb Kangale, delving into the intricacies of the electoral process and transparency measures undertaken for the upcoming elections.
During the courtesy visit, Mrs. Kangale provided detailed insights into election procedures to the trainee officers, including Ms. Anupama Anand, Mr. M. Bhargava, Mr. Tanmay Khanna, and Mr. Durga Prasad Adhikari. Emphasizing the pivotal role of administrative officers in conducting fair and transparent elections, Mrs. Kangale stressed the importance of awareness and adherence to election rules.
Addressing the trainee officers, Mrs. Kangale highlighted the geographical diversity of Chhattisgarh, underscoring the challenges posed by inaccessible and sensitive polling stations. She emphasized the significance of meticulous planning and execution, particularly in logistics and security arrangements, to ensure smooth conduct of elections across all regions.
Leading the trainee officers on a tour of the command and control center, Mrs. Kangale showcased the advanced monitoring infrastructure in place. The control rooms, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, enable real-time surveillance of voting activities, including live video feeds from polling stations. Notably, cameras installed both inside and outside polling stations facilitate comprehensive monitoring of voter queues and activities.
In addition to the command and control center, an Electronic Media Monitoring Center has been established to monitor news broadcasts across multiple channels and track violations of the code of conduct on social media platforms.
Mrs. Kangale emphasized the importance of maximizing voter participation, particularly in the face of scorching heat, by ensuring the availability of drinking water and other facilities at polling stations. Special provisions, such as pink booths to encourage women’s participation and home voting facilities for the elderly and disabled, have been implemented to facilitate inclusive voting.
The session concluded with Mrs. Kangale urging the trainee officers to observe the electoral process diligently, emphasizing their future responsibilities in election management. Additional Chief Electoral Officer Mr. Nilesh Mahadev Kshirsagar, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Mr. Apoorva Priyesh Toppo, Assistant Chief Electoral Officer Mrs. Sharda Aggarwal, and other officials were present during the interaction.
