District Election Officer (Collector) Kana Ram inspected preparations for polling on 3 November in four Panchayat Samitis under Panchayati Raj elections‑2026, touring the EVM and election material collection and distribution centre (strong room) at PM Shri Rajkiya Higher Secondary School, Sahunagar, and directed officials to make all necessary arrangements.

The District Election Officer directed the Sub‑District Election Officer Sanjay Sharma and other officials to improve cleanliness, lighting and security at the EVM and election material collection centre. He asked the Public Works Department to remove waste from certain areas of the school building and provide adequate lighting in the strong room for distribution and storage of election material. He also instructed that rooms storing EVMs be kept free from water seepage or roof leaks during the monsoon.

Kana Ram ordered repairs to the barricading within the school campus for the security of the EVM strong room. He directed that a proper power backup be arranged in the control room for CCTV camera operation and monitoring so that recording continues even if electricity is disrupted. He obtained from the Bell Electronics engineer at the strong room details of the prescribed procedure to repair EVMs on polling day if any malfunction occurs.

Before dispatching polling teams, the District Election Officer also inspected the tent arrangements made for distribution of polling material and, anticipating rain, instructed waterproof tents to be set up at the polling sites. He emphasized that protecting EVMs and other polling material from getting wet is essential. After polling, he inspected the designated parking area for vehicles collecting EVMs for counting at the district headquarters and directed that Chakhainpura airstrip be kept ready as an alternative parking site in case of heavy rain.

Kana Ram instructed police officials that personnel deployed as security escorts with polling teams must be present at the worksite on time and, in close coordination with polling officials, ensure the security of EVMs, election material and the entire process. He ordered that security escorts be provided at the EVM strong room as per the prescribed protocol.

During this, the Returning Officer, senior officials from various departments involved in Panchayati Raj election management, and officials from Public Works, Logistics, Police, Electricity and other departments were present.

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