Ahead of the Lok Sabha election, the polling parties for all 44 polling stations in the Zanskar Sub Division were flagged off by District Election Officer (DEO) Kargil, Shrikant Suse, from Khree Sultan Chow Sports Stadium on May 18.

SSP Kargil, Deputy District Election Officer Kargil, Nodal Officers, and other concerned officers were also present on the occasion.

The District Election Officer said that the polling parties for the far-flung areas of the district, including Phema (located at 14,100 ft), Ralakun (13,800 ft), and Shadey (14,500 ft), were dispatched on Friday through IAF helicopters.

While flagging off the polling parties, the DEO urged them to perform their assigned responsibilities with utmost sincerity and dedication, and to strictly adhere to the ECI guidelines to ensure a free, fair, transparent, and ethical election process in the district.

Expressing satisfaction with the overall preparedness, he stated that all necessary arrangements have been put in place to ensure that the elections are conducted smoothly. He also mentioned that, according to ECI norms, the use of mobile phones by voters within a 100-meter radius of the polling booth is completely banned.

The DEO called May 20 the “Festival of Democracy,” urging the public to participate enthusiastically in the voting process and to cast their votes without fear.

Similarly, under the supervision of the District Election Officer, EVMs, voting materials, and polling staff were dispatched from the warehouse to Shun and Ichu (remote polling stations) in the presence of the Assistant Returning Officer, Kargil.

NT Election, Kargil, representatives of political parties, independent candidates, and other concerned officers and officials were present on the occasion.