Make arrangements for panchayat poll, govt schools told

All government — primary and senior secondary — schools in the district have been issued necessary directions to prepare polling booths on their premises for the panchayat poll, which will be held on October 15. All 1,584 government schools in the district, of which 993 are primary schools, will be made polling booths for the upcoming elections.

District Education Officer (Elementary) Ravinder Kaur said the schools had been directed to make necessary arrangements on their premises so that voters did not face any problem. Polling booths would be established at all government schools in rural areas. Polling teams would reach respective booths on October 14.

The necessary instructions include that the polling room (booth) should be neat and clean. In case, the school has kept any material in the room, it should be shifted to another room. Besides, washrooms, to be used by staff and voters, should be hygienic. There should be proper arrangement of water in the washrooms.

Besides, the school authorities are asked to make arrangement of drinking water. It should be ensured that the booths are well equipped with fans and lights. In case some discrepancy is found at any booth, the sole responsibility would be of the school and the authorities should be ready to face the music.