Monsoon threat looming large, SEC activates contingency plan for Panchayat polls

GAJENDRA SINGH NEGI | Dehradun

In view of the warning of heavy rains issued by the State Meteoroidal Centre in different parts of the State, the State Election Commission has activated a contingency plan for the upcoming three tier Panchayat elections in 12 districts of the State.

The plan involves proactive measures to meet monsoon related challenges such as disruption of roads due to landslides, flooding and preparedness of election personnel and local communities.

The process of the Panchayat elections is underway and the voting for first and second phase will be held on July 24 and 28 respectively. The polling parties for the first phase of voting will start departing to their assigned polling centres from Tuesday. The SEC’s concern emanates from the fact that the State Meteorological Centre has predicted heavy to very heavy rains in many parts of the State especially Garhwal region and as per the election schedule, the first phase of voting will be held in remote and hard to access areas of the State. In order to meet the Monsoon challenge in an effective manner,  the SEC is in constant touch with the meteorological centre and the State administration.

The State Election Commissioner, Sushil Kumar told this correspondent that a district level contingency plan has been activated. He said the location of the mechanical excavators and the phone number of their operators have been shared with the respective sector magistrates for the safe transport of the polling parties. He said that medical teams have been kept on alert mode at the health centres.

The SEC added that the teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Police and Revenue department have been deployed and the Patwaris and the employees of Rural Development department have been directed to remain at their places of posting. He further informed that nodal officers have been appointed at block level to deal with any disaster like situation in an effective manner.

The State administration has deployed two helicopters, one at Dehradun and other at Pithoragarh for swift response in case of any emergency arising out of monsoon triggered disaster. Their operation however has been kept at the discretion of the district magistrates concerned and Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority.

 Kumar claimed that the SCE is fully geared up for smooth conduction of the Panchayat elections.

The SEC has set up 8,276 polling stations and 10,529 polling booths and will take services of 95,909 employees, 3,342 light vehicles and 2,278 heavy vehicles for the Panchayat polls in the State.