I.A.S. Bairwa’s Leadership Shines: Ensuring Fair and Successful Elections in Kangra

Interview with Mr. H.R. Bairwa, IAS, Deputy Commissioner Kangra, by Rajesh Suryavanshi, Editor-in-Chief, HR Media Network

Rajesh Suryavanshi: Good morning, Mr. Bairwa. It’s a pleasure to have you with us today.

First, I would like to congratulate you on the successful conduct of the 2024 Parliament and Assembly polls in Kangra, the largest and most significant district in Himachal Pradesh.

Can you share some insights into your experience as the District Election Officer (DEO)?

H.R. Bairwa, IAS :

Thank you, Mr. Suryavanshi. It was indeed a challenging yet fulfilling experience.

Ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections in a district as large and diverse as Kangra required meticulous planning and coordination.

We had to manage 1,559 polling stations and cater to a diverse electorate spread across urban, semi-urban, and remote rural areas.

Rajesh Suryavanshi:

That sounds like a monumental task. What strategies did you employ to address these challenges effectively?

H.R. Bairwa, IAS:

The key was early and comprehensive planning. We began preparations months in advance, focusing on three main areas: voter education, infrastructure readiness, and staff training.

Our voter awareness programs aimed to educate people about the importance of voting and the voting process, ensuring high turnout and minimal errors.

We also prioritized making all polling stations accessible, especially for the elderly and differently-abled voters.

Training our election staff thoroughly ensured they were well-prepared to handle any situation on election day.

Rajesh Suryavanshi: Voter education and staff training are crucial. How did you ensure security and transparency during the elections?

H.R. Bairwa, IAS :

Security and transparency were our top priorities. We worked closely with the police and paramilitary forces to ensure robust security arrangements.

This included patrolling sensitive areas and deploying additional forces where needed.

Transparency was maintained by following strict protocols for the handling and transportation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trails (VVPATs). Additionally, we set up live webcasting from critical polling stations and used the media to keep the public informed.

It’s evident that your efforts paid off. What was the voter turnout like in Kangra, and how did you address any challenges on election day?

H.R. Bairwa, IAS :

I’m pleased to report that we had a voter turnout of over 70%, which is a testament to the engagement and enthusiasm of Kangra’s electorate. On election day, we had contingencies in place for any logistical issues, such as faulty EVMs or weather-related disruptions.

Our rapid response teams were effective in resolving such issues promptly, ensuring the voting process was smooth and uninterrupted.

Rajesh Suryavanshi : Congratulations once again, Mr. Bairwa. Your leadership and dedication have clearly made a significant impact. Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences with us today. 

H.R. Bairwa, IAS :

Thank you, Mr. Suryavanshi. It was a collective effort, and I am grateful to my entire team and the people of Kangra for their support and cooperation.