Nikunja B Dhal, Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha briefed Senior Deputy Election Commissioners (DECs) Dharmendra Sharma and Nitesh Ku Vyas at the review meeting with 30 district election officers and collectors at Kharavela Bhawan in Bhubaneswar on December 12 and 13.

Dhal outlined the overall progress of SSR and general preparedness of state machinery for the elections in 2024 while the Collectors made a detailed presentation.

Senior DECs emphasised on early disposal of all pending forms for addition, deletion and corrections before the scheduled time fixed by the ECI. They directed to focus on women, young, elderly, PwD, Third Gender and PVTG electors to ensure that the Electoral Roll is inclusive. Consultation with political parties and stakeholders was also stressed.

They said careful and diligent field verification for deletions and additions should be followed for the purity of Electoral Roll. The collectors were sensitised on vulnerability mapping. They were also instructed to identify possible routes of movement of cash, liquor, drugs and ensure effective enforcement mechanisms for inducement-free elections.

Sajay Kumar, Addl DG (Law and Order) and senior officers of the CEO office were present during the review meeting.