Chaibasa, Nov. 21: West Singhbhum Deputy Commissioner Aboo Backer Sidhuque briefed the media regarding the overall preparation for first phase panchayat election in the region on Saturday.
He said that the district administration has dispatched a total of 2332 polling officers for the 583 polling booths along with ballot box and identity card on Saturday.
The first phase panchayat election scheduled to be held on Sunday at Tantnagar, Manjhari, Jhinkpani and Sadar Chiabasa blocks. Sidhuque informed that this is the first time that female polling officers have been deputed to conduct election. They have been deputed at Manjhari block (20 female officialss), Sadar Chaibasa (162 female officials), Tanta Nagar block (20 female officials) and Jhinkpani block (40 females polling officers).
The DC said, “Since this is the first time that female polling officers have been deputed, I have asked the block development officers to provide proper facilities for their accommodation.
In addition, Sidhuque mentioned that the booths of first phase panchayat election do not fall under militant infested areas, but several local political challenges prevail.”Considering the situation we have made elaborate security arrangements at every sensitive booths and semi-sensitive booths, including their transportation to the booths, cluster and sectors. We have arranged 53 big buses, 6 mini buses, and 11 Tata Mazic 107 Tata Sawari – a total of 177 vehicles. We have established 54 clusters and 84 sectors for conducting the election properly.”
There are 56 sensitive booths, 366 hyper sensitive booths and general booths 161 in the first phase election. In order to conduct the election fair and fearless the administration has deployed CRPF, state police personnel and home guards at every booth. He also mentioned that the flying squads are conducting raids at various places and observers and magistrates will be doing their duty round-the-clock. The voting will start at 7 a.m. and continue till 5 p.m.
“We have also asked the election officers to keep strict vigil over Chaibasa Sadar part 2 as there are reports of distributing liquor and money among the voters by candidates, the DC said while appealing to the electorate to exercise their franchise and elect good panchyat bodies.
SP Chaibasa Dr.Michael Raj, who was present at the press briefing, said, “We have made tight security arrangements and zonal and sub-zonal officers have been asked to conduct search campaigns to check any malpractices by the candidates to lure the voters. Patrolling is also being conducted day and night to avert any untoward incidents,” he added.