Punjab Chief Election Officer Conducts Surprise Warehouse Inspection in Patiala
In a proactive move to ensure electoral integrity, Punjab's Chief Election Officer and Administrative Secretary for Elections, Anindita Mitra, carried out an unannounced inspection of the state-level election warehouse located in Patiala on Friday. During her visit, she issued directives for the disposal of replaced election materials to optimize storage space and enhance security measures.
Comprehensive Review of Election Infrastructure and Processes
Mitra meticulously examined the equipment stored at the facility, focusing on critical aspects of election management. Her inspection covered voter list preparation procedures, the issuance of identity cards, distribution workflows, and the handling of various forms, envelopes, and stationery designated for gurdwara elections, along with other non-consumable election materials. The chief election officer expressed her satisfaction with the warehouse's storage practices, material organization, and overall cleanliness, commending the staff for maintaining high standards.
Directives for Disposal and Infrastructure Upgrades
While reviewing the inventory, Mitra identified several outdated items, including obsolete forms and registers that had been superseded by the Election Commission of India's updated protocols. She instructed officials to dispose of these materials in accordance with established norms, emphasizing the need to free up space and ensure secure storage for essential materials required for forthcoming elections. Additionally, she mandated necessary repairs to the ageing warehouse building to bolster its structural integrity and functionality.
District-Level Election Preparedness Assessment
Earlier in the day, at the District Administrative Complex, Mitra convened a review meeting with Deputy Commissioner Varjeet Walia and Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Simarpreet Kaur. The session aimed to evaluate district-level election preparedness, address related administrative matters, and assess the status of the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) warehouse. Walia formally welcomed the chief election officer and provided a detailed briefing on the district's EVM warehouse and other election arrangements.
Key Officials Present During the Inspection
The inspection and meeting were attended by several senior officials, including Superintendent of Police City Palwinder Singh Cheema, Election Tehsildar Vijay Chaudhary, District Social Security Officer Jobandeep Kaur, Election Kanoongo Priyanka Rani, Senior Assistant Parmjeet Singh, and other staff members from the election department. Their presence underscored the collaborative effort to uphold electoral transparency and efficiency in Punjab.
