Security has been beefed up at five Assembly constituencies in the district on the eve of first phase of elections to be held on Saturday.
Addressing media persons here recently Deputy Commissioner Subodh Yadav said, Over four thousand personnel have been deployed in all the five constituencies. Training in three phases, has been imparted to 290 micro observers and 86 sector officers who are appointed in these areas. In rural areas 735 polling booths and in urban areas 163 polling booths have been established.
One polling booth officer, three staff and 1,500 have been appointed for the booth where number of voters is from 1,200 to 1,500. Where electorate population is more than 1,500, one officer, four employees have been appointed.
Across the district in 135 places, nearly 256 polling booths are identified as sensitive and in each of these booths a micro observer is appointed. They will submit report every one hour to the general observer. Besides, para-military force and police from the Centre have been deployed in these booths, the deputy commissioner said.
Identity card
Election photo identity cards (EPICs) have been issued to nearly 65 per cent voters even before the election procedures began. Now over 72.5 voters have got EPICs. Nearly 55187 voters have got fresh EPICs.
For the first time in the district over 7785 fresh voters are exercising their franchise first time this year.
Of the 17 documents as specified by the Election Commissioner could be used as identity card if the voter doesn’t have EPIC still. Nearly 359 families across the district were found having no valid records to substitute EPIC while voting. These families have been given temporary identity card and members of each family have been instructed to exercise vote together.
In the identity card, only photo and name should be considered seriously and other details can be ignored, he said. The election officers have been given proper instructions and training in this connection he said.
Cell phone prohibited
Mr Yadav said, using cell phones in the polling booths has been prohibited. If the voters have brought the cell phone it should be switched off in the booth premises. The rule will be applicable even to the media persons.
Nearly 112 video cameras are fixed to record the voting procedures, he added.
Control rooms
Control rooms were opened in the district centre to receive complaints on the violation of election model code of conducts and also to answer the public’s queries. Now in each Assembly constituency, a control room is opened.
People can call these control rooms to obtain information or to submit complaints. Poll agents will be deployed to
assist the voters where more than three polling booths are established in an area.
Various vigilance teams have been formed across the district to ensure strict implementation of election codes. Till this day 78 cases have been booked and Nearly 59 cases are related to illegal storage of liquor. Nearly 57 persons have been arrested by the police and excise officials in this connection. Liquor worth Rs 70 lakh has been seized and 18 persons have been arrested. Nearly 522 persons have been given non-bailable warrant and were produced before the court. District Police Superintendent Ravindraprasad, speaking on the occasion said, on May 10, nearly 1,000 para-military force, 1,000 civilian police and 900 home guards, 80 sub inspectors, 14 inspectors, five DySPs, two SPs will be working.
