Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Apr 23: Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan has provided an update on the district's preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha election.
A total of nine candidates will contest in the forthcoming election across 1876 polling stations spread across 8 constituencies.
The district boasts a total of 18,18,127 registered voters, comprising 8,87,122 males, 9,30,928 females, and 77 transgender individuals, with the highest concentration observed in Mangaluru South, amounting to 2,52,643 voters.
To facilitate the electoral process, a team of 11,255 polling personnel has been assembled.
Various types of polling booths, including 40 Sakhi booths, 8 PWD booths, young voters booths, mission-based booths, and traditional booths, have been set up across the district, totaling 72 model polling stations.
Additionally, the electoral process will be monitored extensively, with 24 video surveillance teams, 72 flying squads, 69 static surveillance teams, 186 sector officer teams, 8 video viewing teams, 8 MCC teams, 8 accounting teams, and 8 assistant expenditure observers being deployed.
As of April 15, 9900 election duty certificates have been issued. Notably, 6053 votes have been cast by voters aged 85 and above through home voting, with 5878 votes recorded, along with 1929 votes cast by persons with disabilities (PWD) out of 1975 registered, and 100 AVES (Absentee, Vacationer, Election Duty) votes out of 182 registered.
Special attention is being given to 171 vulnerable and critical polling stations, with the highest concentration of such stations observed in Belthangady and Sullia constituencies.
From April 24, 6 pm onwards, no organized events such as conventions or rallies will be permitted. Additionally, a dry day will be observed from April 24, 6 pm until midnight on April 26th. CRPC section 144 has been imposed from April 24th 6 pm until the completion of the election, with loudspeakers banned during this period.
A substantial amount of cash, liquor, and drugs have been seized, amounting to Rs 29,63,989, 1,42,751 liters worth Rs 5,66,82,798, and 16.45786 kg worth Rs 8,89,950, respectively.
In light of potential health concerns, health officials have been deployed at every polling station to address heatwave and heatstroke-related issues.
Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal provided updates on law enforcement efforts, including the booking of 1157 rowdies under various sections, the bonding over of 806 criminals under different sections, the externment of 75 rowdies, and the imposition of the Goonda Act on 8 individuals.
Furthermore, 42 route marches are being conducted in the Mangaluru city police commissionerate, resulting in the seizure of Rs 22,24,489 in cash, Rs 8,87,950 worth of drugs, and the booking of 3 MCC violations at 12 check posts.
Deployment of police personnel includes 46 PSI sector mobile units, 14 PI supervision sector officials, 4 ACP nodal officers, 1003 police personnel, 350 home guards, 17 forest guards, CAPF, and 16 PSI units. In critical booths, a total of 80 officials comprising 3 PI, 21 PSI, 13 ASI, 43 PC, and FG personnel have been deployed.
Superintendent of Police Rishyanth reported on security measures, including 30 route marches in critical areas, area domination exercises and combing operations in Naxal areas conducted by ANF, and the deployment of CAPF.
Efforts to address criminal elements include the booking of 1200 rowdy sheeters under various sections, the bonding over of 900 rowdy sheeters with various IPC sections, and the externment of 28 individuals.
Furthermore, 18 locations identified as Naxal-affected polling stations are being secured with armed police personnel.
In total, 1600 men, including 3 companies of CAPF and 2 companies of KSRP, have been deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of the election.