91 strong rooms setup to store EVMs and VVPATs

Strong rooms have a three-tier security system

Chandigarh, May 25 - A total of 91 strong rooms have been set up to secure the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. Among these, 90 strong rooms have been prepared for the 10 Lok Sabha constituencies and one strong room for the Karnal Assembly segment.

Sharing more information in this regard, Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Anurag Agarwal said that the strong rooms had been set up as per the directions of the Election Commission of India.

As per the Commission's directives, the returning officer will visit the strong room three times. The entire process of storing the EVMs and VVPAT machines in the strong room and sealing the room will be video-graphed. The room will have only one door. If there are more than one door in the strong room, all doors and windows except one will be sealed. The room will be double-locked, and it will have a three-tier security system.

He said that outside the strong room, facilities such as sanitation, drinking water, etc will be provided for candidates or their election agents. A logbook will be maintained for those entering and leaving the premises of the strong room, noting their status. The logbook will be kept under the supervision of the returning officer or the district electoral officer.

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Haryana records approximately 65% voting uptill 8:00 PM

In the Karnal Assembly by-polls, there was a 57.8% voter turnout

Chandigarh, May 25 - Haryana Chief Electoral Officer, Sh. Anurag Agarwal said that the elections for 10 Lok Sabha seats and the Karnal Assembly seat in the state remained peaceful, witnessing approximately 65% voter turnout in the General Elections of 2024. Updating of voting data is ongoing, till the writing the press note and the voter turnout percentage is likely to increase.

He said that uptill 8:00 PM, the Sirsa parliamentary constituency recorded the highest turnout of 69%. Following this, Ambala parliamentary constituency saw a 66.9% turnout, and Kurukshetra witnessed 66.2% voting. Similarly, Faridabad recorded 59.7%, Hisar 64.6%, Sonipat 62.2%, Rohtak 64.5%, Bhiwani-Mahendragarh 65.2%, Karnal 63.2%, and Gurgaon 60.6% voter turnout.

Sh. Anurag Agarwal informed that the polling time was till 6:00 PM, and any voter standing in the voting queue by 6:00 PM was allowed to cast their vote.

A total of 20,031 polling stations were set up, with more than 96,000 officers and employees on polling duty

Sh. Agarwal shared that a total of 20,031 polling stations had been set up in the state. These include 19,812 permanent and 219 auxiliary polling stations. 5,470 polling stations have been set up in urban areas and 14,342 polling stations have been set up in rural areas. He further informed that 176 model polling stations had been setup. There were 99 polling stations which will be operated entirely by women staff. Besides this, 96 polling stations manned by youth employees, and 71 polling stations manned by Person with Disability (PwD) employees. All basic facilities and other necessary arrangements were made in view of the heat wave in all the polling stations.

He said that apart from the returning officers, more than 96,000 officers and employees (except security forces) were on duty in the polling stations. Besides this, flying squads, observers along with micro observers were present at different polling stations.

Sh. Agarwal said that the polling stations were monitored through webcasting and voting remained peaceful in the state.

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Haryana Police Updates CCTNS System for New Laws Effective July 2024

Haryana Police Modernizes Police Station Infrastructure Statewide to Support Upgraded CCTNS System

New Features in Haryana Police CCTNS: Evidence Management, Voice-to-Text, and E-Signatures

Chandigarh, May 25: Haryana Police's CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems) has been fully updated to comply with three new laws set to be implemented from July 1, 2024. A comprehensive review of the improved system took place during a meeting chaired by Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapur today.

Mr. O.P. Singh, Director of the State Crime Records Bureau, stated that the CCTNS system has been integrated with the new laws to facilitate efficient operation in the future. As part of this, an Evidence Management System has been developed, enabling investigative officers to upload videos, victim and suspect statements, sealed item videos, investigation reports, and search and seizure videos directly to the Haryana Police server electronically. This is now mandatory under the new laws coming into effect on July 1, 2024.

PS Locator Facility Available

Recognizing the importance of accessible policing, Nikita Gehlot, Superintendent of Police at SCRB, said that the Haryana Police had introduced a user-friendly "PS Locator" feature on the CCTNS website and the "Har Samay" portal. This allows citizens to easily identify and locate their nearest police station, ensuring prompt access to police services and assistance.

* Evidence Management System

A robust evidence management system has been integrated into the CCTNS platform, enabling investigators to seamlessly upload and manage case-related videos, statements, forensic reports, and other crucial evidence in a secure digital format. This streamlines the investigation process, enhances transparency, and facilitates better collaboration among law enforcement agencies.

*Voice-to-Text for FIRs and Documentation

To enhance the efficiency and accuracy of documentation, the CCTNS system now incorporates voice-to-text technology. Investigators can dictate FIRs (First Information Reports), statements, and other crucial documents, which are then automatically converted into text format. This not only saves valuable time but also reduces the chances of manual errors.

*Online Reporting of Vehicle Theft

Citizens can now conveniently report vehicle theft incidents online through the Haryana Police website. This eliminates the need for physical visits to police stations, making the reporting process more accessible and user-friendly.

*E-Signature and Electronic Challan

Embracing digital transformation, the CCTNS system now supports e-signatures, enabling officers to sign documents electronically. Furthermore, challans (charge sheets) can be submitted electronically to the courts, reducing paperwork and expediting legal proceedings.

Infrastructure Modernization

To ensure the seamless operation of the upgraded CCTNS system, the Haryana Police is investing in infrastructure modernization at police stations across the state. This includes increasing the number of computers, upgrading internet connectivity, and providing necessary technical support.

Comprehensive Training through LMS

Recognizing the importance of human resources in technology adoption, DGP Kapur said that the Haryana Police is leveraging a Learning Management System (LMS) to provide comprehensive training to investigative officers. The LMS offers interactive modules, assessments, and simulations to familiarize officers with the new features and functionalities of the CCTNS system.