c pradeep kumar
Andhra Pradesh State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Mukesh Kumar Meena has revealed that preparations for the upcoming 2024 elections in the State, which began six months ago, have come to fruition with all arrangements now in place for the much-anticipated process.
In an exclusive interview with The Pioneer, Meena expressed confidence in the integrity of the electoral process, highlighting the meticulous verification of voter details to ensure the authenticity of the electoral roll released on January 22, 2024.
“We are fully prepared logistically, with the training of key personnel set to conclude by the end of February. Material arrangements are in their final stages, ensuring that free and fair elections will be conducted,” stated CEO Meena.
Speaking specifically on election preparedness, Meena emphasised the ongoing efforts to secure sensitive polling stations. He outlined the process of Critical Polling Station Identification and Vulnerability Mapping, where sector officers, along with police personnel, survey habitation areas and past electoral data to identify vulnerable stations. Meena noted that 17,000 critical polling stations had been identified from previous elections, with the latest list expected by March. Central forces will be deployed to these stations to ensure enhanced security measures, Meena affirmed.
Providing further insights into polling arrangements, Meena disclosed that there are a total of 46,000 polling stations across the State, equipped with infrastructure and verified for readiness. Additionally, preparations for strong rooms and counting centres in all districts have been finalized, with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) ready for deployment.
With a staggering 4.07 crore voters in Andhra Pradesh, Meena underscored the ongoing process of voter list updation and the introduction of Home Voting (Postal Ballot) for the first time. Home Voting allows eligible individuals, including those above 80 years and differently-abled, to cast their votes from the comfort of their homes.
On personnel deployment, Meena confirmed the appointment of polling personnel and ongoing training sessions for Returning Officers. He highlighted the engagement of various government departments for seamless coordination in election management and enforcement of election laws to curb malpractices.
Addressing concerns of electoral malpractices, Meena detailed efforts to rectify wrongful deletions and crack down on attempts to manipulate the voting process. Notably, he mentioned the verification of complaints on false and bogus votes, resulting in legal actions against perpetrators attempting to tamper with genuine votes.
Meena assured stringent measures to maintain transparency and security throughout the electoral process, emphasising the collaborative efforts of both State and Central agencies in upholding the sanctity of democracy in Andhra Pradesh.
