Month: January 2019

Gangtok, Jan 31 (IPR): The final publication of the Electoral Roll with reference to 1.1.2019 as qualifying date was released today by Chief Electoral Officer, Sikkim, Shri R. Telang in a press conference organized by the office of the CEO, Sikkim, at the conference hall of District Administration Centre, East.

The program had the presence of District Election Officer (East) Shri Kapil Meena, Additional CEO Smt Roshni Rai, officers of District Administration Centre, East, Director and officers of Printing and Stationeries Department, representatives of recognized political parties and members of the press and media.

A soft copy each of the final Electoral Roll was handed over to representatives of recognized political parties by the CEO. A soft copy of the Electoral Roll was also handed over to Director, Printing & Stationeries Department for immediate publication.

Addressing the press conference, Shri R. Telang said that the hard copies of the Electoral Roll would be available in a few days and a copy each would be provided free of cost to all recognized political parties, while registered political parties and members of the public can obtain it from office of CEO or District Election Officer on payment of a nominal amount fixed by the Commission.

The CEO further said that there could still be some additions and some deletions in the list till seven days prior to the filing of nominations. He shared that the total electors/voters as on date is 4, 23,325 which includes 2, 16,222 male voters and 2, 07,103 female voters. He informed that as on date, two persons are from the third gender and 2000 voters have identified themselves as PWD or Persons with Disabilities. He added that since the population profile of Sikkim is young, maximum voters fall within the age group of 18 to 45 years.

The CEO informed that a total of 16,012 voters have been added in the Summary Revision during the months of September and October 2018.

Shri R. Telang further informed that there will be 567 numbers of polling stations for the upcoming general elections, which includes 51 Sangha polling stations.

The CEO further said that the purpose of today’s program was also to raise awareness about Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trial (VVPAT) to members of the media and the political parties. He informed that the First Level Checking (FLC) of the EVM machines have been completed and have been shared with all political parties. He briefed the audience on various aspects of the polling process and the role of political parties. He urged the political party representatives to sensitize their colleagues about the role of polling agents and booth level agents to aid the voters in the polling process.

The CEO said that it is also the voters’ responsibility to check their names in the voters list. He informed that voters can check their names through three modes:

1. Visit the website www.nvsp.in

2. Download Voter Helpline App on smart phones

3. Call Toll Free Number 1950. The number will be operational from 1st February 2019 and will be available between 9am to 6pm on all working days

He said that the Office of the Chief Election Officer is generating adequate awareness about voter awareness so that every eligible voter can exercise his/her right to vote. He added that the State of Sikkim aims to successfully accomplish the national theme ‘No Voter is Left behind’. He also informed that the recently appointed Election Icons will voluntarily spread awareness about the importance of voting, ethical practices and urge people to come forward to vote. He said that messages from these icons will be disseminated in public domain at regular intervals.

The CEO also spoke briefly about the EVM and the value addition that the VVPAT will bring to the election process.

In the end, the CEO said that all political parties can submit any further concern in writing so that the same can be forwarded to the Election Commission of India. He also urged the political parties to give their feedback on the functioning of the Toll-Free Helpline Number 1950.

Earlier, a brief presentation on the functioning of the EVM and VVPAT was made by ADC East Shri Bharani Kumaar. Short video films on voter awareness drive were also screened on the occasion. He informed that thirty sets of EVM and VVPAT which have undergone first level checking are being used for Training purpose.

The press conference was also attended by ADC East Shri Jamyang C. Namgyal.

After the press conference, members of the media were given hands-on demonstration of the EVM and the VVPAT by ADC East Shri Bharani Kumaar.

Gangtok, 31 Jan (IPR): A three-daylong Training of Trainers and Facilitators (TTF) for the upcoming general election began today at the conference hall of Office of the Chief Electoral Officer, Sikkim.

Ms Nupur Purohit and Mr B. Majumdar are the Resource Persons from Hero Mindmine Institute, New Delhi under IIIDEM, Election Commission of India for the three-day training programme with the objective of empowering people and enhancing their professional skills and attitudes.

The Election Commission of India has set up the India International Institute of Democracy & Election Management (IIIDEM) as its advance training and resources wing. IIIDEM is an initiative of the Commission for fulfilling its high aspiration on democracy and election management.

Jorethang, 31st January(IPR): A three-daylong, Training for Trainers Facilitators (TTF) commenced at the conference hall of Sikkim Institute of Rural Development (SIRD), Karfectar today. This training is held under the direction of Election Commission of India (ECI). The resource persons for the day were Mr. Nilay Majumdar and Mr. Sanjiv Deb from Hero Mindmine which is a part of Hero Group that provides various kinds of learning solutions to manifest better quality and enhanced productivity. Present during the training were district level master trainers and nodal officers from West and South District.

Gangtok, Jan 30: (IPR) Martyrs’ Day was observed today in Tashiling Secretariat, Gangtok. Additional Chief Secretary Finance cum Development Commissioner Shri V.B. Pathak administered two-minutes silence to all officers and staff of the Secretariat and adjoining offices.
Likewise, Martyrs’ Day was observed throughout the State with two minutes’ silence in the memory of those who gave their lives in the struggle for India’s freedom.
All work and movement including the traffic stopped exactly from 11 am to 11:02 am throughout the State. The day was observed with due solemnity.

Gangtok, Jan 30: (IPR) Three days training on Mental Health was conducted by the Health Care, HS & FW department for Medical Officers at European Commission Hall, STNM Hospital from 28th to 30th January 2019.

The objective of the training is to strengthen the primary care services on mental health. The PHC Medical Officers were trained in various topic of mental illnesses including assessing and managing the mental health related problems at the PHC level.