Deputy Commissioner and District Election Officer Gurugram, Nishant Kumar Yadav said that all preparations by the district administration for voting in the four assembly constituencies of Gurugram district, namely Pataudi, Badshahpur, Sohna, and Gurugram, are completed.

"The district administration is fully committed to ensuring the 2024 Assembly Elections are conducted in a peaceful, impartial and harmonious environment," he said. While addressing a press conference on Thursday here in Gurugram regarding the preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections.

Yadav informed that 14, 97,000 voters in the district will cast their votes at 1,504 booths on October 5, 2024. Among these, 126 booths have been set up in high-rise buildings, expected to directly benefit around 150,000 voters, which should increase the voter turnout in the district.

He said that 12,000 polling staff have been deployed for voting in Gurugram district, and they will soon receive three levels of election process-related training. Additionally, 12 SSTs (Static Surveillance Teams) and 20 FSTs (Flying Squads Teams) have been stationed in the field to ensure peaceful voting. Furthermore, 101 Sector Officers will receive special training. The Election Commission has also appointed one General Observer, one Expenditure Observer for every two constituencies, and one Police Observer for all four constituencies.

Similar to the Lok Sabha elections, the district administration will once again engage NCC and NSS volunteers to assist at every polling centre in the four constituencies for smooth voting. Yadav mentioned that at 200 sensitive polling booths, sufficient police, paramilitary forces, and administrative officers will be deployed to ensure no disturbances occur.

He also stated that on voting day, all polling centres would be equipped with basic facilities, including paramedical staff.  To maintain harmony during the elections, the district administration has issued orders under Section 163 of the Indian Civil Security Code, 2023, directing all licensed weapon holders to deposit their weapons at the nearest police stations or registered weapon dealers.

"Exemptions are provided to authorized security guards posted at various banks, ATMs, and cash transport vans. This order does not apply to police and other public servants on duty. Those seeking exemptions can apply to the screening committee at the CP office. Additionally, all liquor shops will remain closed 48 hours before voting and on counting day, with the prohibition also applying to restaurants and bars," he said.

Yadav also urged the people not to link religious events with political activities during the Assembly elections. He clarified that if anyone engages in such behaviour, it will be considered a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, and appropriate action will be taken according to the rules.

Responding to a question about a religious event in Sector 70, he said that due to the unexpected rainfall in the city on Wednesday, the event site was flooded, posing a risk to public safety. Therefore, the district administration cancelled all administrative approvals for the event and instructed the organizers to postpone it. He asserted that complaints received on the C-Vigil app are being addressed within the stipulated 100-minute timeframe as part of the adherence to the Model Code of Conduct.

"Around 160 nodal officers have been appointed across the district's municipal and village panchayat areas to address these issues. So far, 214 complaints have been received in the district, of which 211 have been resolved," he added.

Yadav shared that all efforts are being made to increase voter turnout in the district. Meetings are being held with RWAs (Resident Welfare Associations), and letters have been written to RWAs, urging them to cooperate in voting.

"The RWA with the highest voter participation will be honoured after the elections. Also, 41,000 new voters aged 18 and above have been registered in the district. Awareness programs are being organized in all colleges and universities to encourage them to vote.

Additionally, facilities are being provided to disabled voters to cast their ballots from home using a ballot. Similarly, a pick-and-drop service is available for those who register on the 1950 toll-free number," Yadav said.