Online information obtained by state Chief Electoral Officer regarding preparations for Karjan by-election

 A tripartite video conference held with the District Electoral Officer and the Electoral Officer of the assembly seat

Dr. Murali Krishnan, Chief Electoral Officer of the state, provided online information on pre-preparation and readiness of the district level for the by-elections in the Assembly seats and gave guidance for holding neutral, fair and transparent elections.

To his pursuit Vadodara District Election Officer and Collector Shalini Agarwal conducted a detailed online review of the pre-election preparations for the Karjan Assembly elections as per the 17 points decided by the Election Commission of India.

In the video conference election officer K. R. Patel was given guidelines on various matters including strict implementation of the Code of Conduct in the Assembly constituency and intensively reviewed the readiness for the first phase and subsequent phases starting from registration of candidature on Friday.

The meeting specifically included the publication of election notices on Friday and daily reporting, arrangements for the election and voting as well as equipment, parts and writing materials for EVMs and VVPATs, transportation for human resources and transport, dispatching and receiving centers and counting of votes, arrangements for staying and visits of observers, account registration, flying squads, video viewing teams, postal voting arrangements for absentee category voters were also reviewed.

The District Electoral Officer made a special request for strict and flawless implementation of the instructions of the Commission in all matters. Deputy District Election Officer RM Joshi was also present in this meeting.

Following the by-election of Karjan Assembly seat under the guidance of District Election Officer and Collector Shalini Agarwal,  Necessary equipment and arrangements have been made available by the District Electoral System to the Office of the Returning Officer and the Provincial Officer, Karjan.

Voting is now done through voting machines and the receipt of the vote cast by that voter is now also done mechanically.  So now the consumables of the above machines along with the writing literature have become important in elections.

For Karjan by-election, BU and CU 436, VVPAT 467, CU Power Pack and Power Pack 600 and Thermal Paper Roll 800, special tag, dummy ballot paper, mock poll poster, green paper seal, strip seal, common address tag, for BU, Pink Paper Seal for BU, Water Register 17 / a are provided.

Data entry has been done by selecting the staff required for the election operation. 35 Micro Observers will be appointed to monitor election matters. A total of 62 vehicles including 55 big buses and 7 small buses will be used for transporting and returning polling staff and materials.

This election is taking place in the atmosphere of Covid 19.  A corresponding action plan has been prepared as per the rules laid down by the Election Commission which will be implemented.

Following the instructions of the District Electoral Officer, 5 grounds have been identified in the Karjan area by the Returning Officer of the seat which can be used by the parties and candidates for campaigning by following the prescribed rules and obtaining necessary permission.

In addition to this, for distribution and acceptance of voting equipment, two Departments of NB Shah Public School as well as Dispatching and Receiving Center will be set up at Mrs. DC Chavda Girls High School. MnWhile counting of votes will be done at Polytechnic College in Vadodara with proper arrangements.

The number of voters above 80 years of age registered in Karjan constituency is 3806.  The number of voters with various types of disabilities is 2165. In addition the Taluka Health Officer will give the number of suspected and Covid positive patients.

Out of which eligible voters, these three types of voters have been placed in the category of Absentee voter. As per the instructions of the commission arrangements are being made to facilitate postal voting for them.