Bhubaneswar: A day after arriving in Odisha, the eight-member team of the Election Commission of India (ECI) began the process of reviewing the preparedness for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in the state.
Led by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar, the team arrived in Bhubaneswar on Thursday night on a three-day visit to the state as part of the exercise to assess and review the state’s preparedness for the forthcoming twin elections.
The team comprises Election Commissioner Arun Goel, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Dharmender Sharma, Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Nitesh Kumar Vyas, and others.
The review meeting held in Bhubaneswar to assess the poll preparedness was chaired by CEC Rajiv Kumar and EC Arun Goel, official sources said.
Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Odisha Nikunja Bihari Dhal and senior police and other officials were present at the review meeting.
The team held discussions with several national and regional political parties on different aspects of the coming polls.
During its visit, the ECI team will hold discussions with District Election Officers (DEOs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), enforcement agencies, State Nodal officers, and senior officials of Odisha to review the preparedness.
This apart, the team will take stock of the status of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and booth-level preparedness for the simultaneous elections.
As per reports, ECI plans to install cameras at around 60 per cent booths in the state as part of measures to maintain law and order during elections. Steps will also be taken for surveillance through drones in densely populated areas of the state.
