HT Correspondent
TEZPUR, March 24: A training programme for polling personnel with disabilities who are engaged in the Parliamentary Election 2024 for 11-Sonitpur HPC was organised on Saturday by the training cell of the office of the district election officer, Sonitpur, at the auditorium of Tezpur Academy School, Tezpur. District commissioner and returning officer of 11-Sonitpur HPC, Deba Kumar Mishra, visited the training venue and interacted with the trainees. The programme, which was organised for around 35 polling personnel with disabilities, saw enthusiastic participation from the attendees.
Addressing the gathering, the district commissioner highlighted the importance of an inclusive election where all eligible sections of society take part in this major democratic process. He informed that 11-Sonitpur HPC has planned out 3 model PWD polling stations, 1 in Dhekiajuli and 2 in Tezpur, to be manned by polling personnel with disabilities. He assured the trainees and the audience in general that the district administration shall provide all necessary assistance such as porters, special transportation, health facilities, and accessible venues among others in these 3 designated polling stations.
Hands-on training on the use of EVMs, roles and responsibilities of each polling personnel, and interactive sessions on any doubts or possible difficulties that may be faced by the trainees were also addressed in the programme.
Meanwhile, a review meeting on poll preparedness was also held on Friday by the chief electoral officer, Assam, Anurag Goel, with district commissioner, Sonitpur, and returning officer of 11-Sonitpur PC, Deba Kumar Mishra, in the presence of all the cell in-charges for the upcoming general election to Lok Sabha, at the conference hall, DC Office, Sonitpur.
The CEO, Assam, also visited Darrang College, Tezpur, where he took stock of the strong room and counting centres planned there. He then briefly attended the training of women presiding officers, which was also held at Darrang College. It is to be noted that 11-Sonitpur PC has planned 150 polling stations to be exclusively manned by women polling personnel.
