Jamshedpur: Voting in the 45-Ghatshila Assembly Constituency will be conducted from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM across 300 polling booths on November 11. Webcasting facilities will be available in all booths to ensure real-time monitoring and transparency during the by-election.
Over 1200 polling personnel, including reserve staff, will be deployed for election duty, with teams to be dispatched from the Cooperative College dispatch center on November 10, where arrangements for their accommodation at cluster points and polling centers have been made.
Addressing a joint press conference at the Collectorate auditorium, District Election Officer Karn Satyarthi and Senior Superintendent of Police Piyush Pandey detailed the extensive administrative and security measures being implemented for the smooth and peaceful conduct of the election.
Satyarthi stated that 186 polling centers have been identified as critical, where special security and administrative vigilance will be maintained. To ensure a peaceful voting environment, 10 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) will be deployed, in addition to the district police arrangements. Furthermore, 30 micro-observers will be stationed at sensitive polling stations to maintain oversight and ensure adherence to Election Commission guidelines.
The DEO reiterated that the administration is fully prepared to conduct a free, fair, and transparent election. He appealed to all voters of the constituency to exercise their franchise responsibly and ensure 100% voter participation on polling day.
Speaking on the law and order situation, SSP Piyush Pandey informed that to prevent the entry of anti-social or disruptive elements, all inter-district and inter-state borders have been sealed from P-3 day (72 hours before polling). He said that special teams are keeping strict vigil at hotels, lodges, dharamshalas, guesthouses, marriage halls, and community centers to ensure these are not misused by political parties or candidates to influence voters.
Surveillance and checking have been intensified, and steps are being taken to maintain peace across the region. Since the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, the administration has seized materials worth ₹3.3 crore, including cash, liquor, narcotics, and freebies. A total of 1233 arms have been deposited, and action for license cancellation has been initiated against 100 license holders. The police have executed 600 non-bailable warrants and conducted 52 actions related to externment and police station attendance. Additionally, 19 illegal weapons and 34 live cartridges have been recovered during ongoing operations.
To ensure law and order during polling, a Dry Day has been declared across the district from 5:00 PM on November 9 to 5:00 PM on November 11.
The DEO further informed that no political advertisements will be published in print media on polling day and the day before polling without prior approval from the District MCMC Cell. Violation of this rule will invite strict action.
He also reminded that from 5:00 PM on November 9, the use of loudspeakers will be prohibited until the conclusion of polling. On polling day (P-0), the display of party flags, banners, or posters within 100 meters of polling stations will not be allowed. The use of mobile phones, wireless sets, or other communication devices by anyone other than polling officials within 100 meters of polling stations will be restricted.
“No political party office will be permitted within 200 meters of polling stations. Names or symbols of candidates must not appear on voter slips. Providing free transport to voters or using government buildings for political purposes will be treated as corrupt practice,” Satyarthi clarified.
He also cautioned that no opinion polls, exit polls, or filming of voting processes will be allowed during polling hours, and any violation of secrecy will attract penal action.
Final randomization of polling personnel: Booths assigned to polling teams
Ghatshila: The final randomization of polling personnel for the 45-Ghatshila Assembly by-election was successfully completed in the auditorium of the Collectorate on Saturday. The process was carried out in the presence of General Observer Rakhi Biswas and District Election Officer (DEO) Karn Satyarthi, ensuring complete transparency and adherence to Election Commission protocols.
During the exercise, polling teams were assigned to their respective booths through specialized software provided by the Election Commission of India. Officials informed that this computerized randomization process eliminates any manual intervention, ensuring impartiality in the deployment of personnel across polling stations.
It was noted that the first round of randomization had identified the personnel to be engaged in the election process, while the second round formed the polling teams. With the completion of this final phase, polling centers have now been officially allotted to the teams constituted for all 300 polling stations in the constituency.
The DEO said that arrangements have been made for the dispatch of polling parties from the Cooperative College dispatch center on November 10, and all necessary logistics are in place to facilitate smooth deployment. He reiterated that the administration is fully prepared to ensure a fair, transparent, and peaceful polling process.
General Observer Biswas also reviewed the arrangements and appreciated the systematic conduct of randomization, emphasizing that all steps are being taken in accordance with the Election Commission’s directions to maintain neutrality and efficiency.
