Guwahati, March 26: With Assam set to go to polls on April 9, the Election Commission of India has intensified preparations, conducting an online review and training session with senior officials across the state to assess overall readiness.
The meeting brought together District Election Officers, Superintendents of Police, senior police officials and administrative authorities to evaluate law and order arrangements and polling logistics. The exercise follows an earlier review by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, who had emphasised that the electoral process must remain “violence-free, intimidation-free, and inducement-free” to enable voters to participate without fear in a festive atmosphere.
Officials carried out a comprehensive assessment of district-level planning, including assured minimum facilities at polling stations, management of Electronic Voting Machines, personnel deployment, seizure actions and voter awareness initiatives. Law and order preparedness was also reviewed in detail during the session.
The Commission issued clear instructions to ensure transparency in voting procedures. Presiding Officers have been directed to provide signed copies of Form 17C, which records the votes polled, to polling agents at the close of voting. They have also been asked to upload voter turnout data on the ECINET application at regular two-hour intervals and after polling concludes.
To facilitate voter participation, District Election Officers have been instructed to ensure the distribution of Voter Information Slips at least five days prior to polling, along with voter guides for households. Special provisions, including Braille-enabled slips, will be made for visually impaired voters.
The Commission further directed officials to process campaign-related permission requests submitted through the Suvidha module within 24 hours on a first-come, first-served basis, while maintaining impartiality.
Considering Assam’s geographical challenges, particular attention was given to safety measures at riverine polling stations, with instructions to ensure adequate rescue and emergency arrangements.
Polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be conducted in a single phase on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.
