In an effort to ensure a peaceful environment during the upcoming assembly election vote counting and aftermath, the Election Commission has announced its decision to hold peace meetings at all 3337 polling booths in the state from February 27. Chief Electoral Officer Kiran Gitte revealed that the previous assembly polls held on February 16 had been largely peaceful, with 90% of the electorate participating in the voting process. However, in light of a few stray incidents, the Election Commission is taking proactive measures to maintain peace.
Gitte emphasized the importance of maintaining a peaceful atmosphere even after the day of counting, stating that it is incumbent upon all to ensure a safe environment. Along with DGP Amitava Ranjan, he has toured all eight district headquarters to sensitize officials and employees in both civil and police administration. However, Gitte pointed out that the Election Commission and civil and police administration alone cannot guarantee foolproof peace, and therefore collective action from the people is essential.
To achieve this, booth-level meetings have been scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. This initiative aims to ensure that every individual involved in the election process, including voters, officials, and candidates, is aware of the significance of maintaining a peaceful environment. By doing so, the Election Commission hopes to prevent any untoward incidents and ensure that the election process is completed smoothly.
