The forthcoming Assembly polls in Chhattisgarh would be a different experience for the police officers this time round as their activities would also be observed by a ‘separate set of observers’ specially appointed for the purpose.
While, at the same time, at the State-level Inspector General of Police Himanshu Gupta had been appointed as a Nodal Officer in the office of the Chief Electoral Officer to monitor the work of the police officers on duty in the State. The district administration has already commenced the exercise of training police officers for the forthcoming Assembly poll duties.
District Collector Siddharth Komal Pardeshi while addressing the trainee officers for poll duty management at the local Red Cross Auditorium said that the Model Code of Conduct would be enforced in the State as soon as the poll dates are announced by the Election Commission of India. ‘As a consequence of this, the officers must get ready for being vigilant in their duties’. Speaking on the occasion, Superintendent of Police OP Pal said that polling duty is an important assignment and one needs to carry that out sincerely. He also warned officials that stern action would be taken against them in case of dereliction of duty.
During the training programme, the officers were informed that they would have to submit a daily report from their respective police station jurisdiction to the Returning Officer when the Model Code of Conduct is in force, according to an official statement issued here on Tuesday. The officers were also informed regarding the way they should be handling duties for management of public meetings, rallies and demonstrations besides keeping tabs on number of vehicles in a region which have been permitted to be used for campaigning by the candidates.
It was also informed in the training programme that three teams of flying squad had been formed in every constituency where the police officers leading the team on duty are supposed to seize suspicious objects while monitoring all illegal financial transactions in cash besides distribution of liquor by the candidates.
There would be a complete ban on transportation of weapons and checks would be carried out at 28 ‘check posts’ established for the purpose. The officers were told about permission required for use of loud speakers and their time limit for usage, security arrangements at the polling centres, strong rooms and the venue of polling.
The officers received detailed information on the ‘Vulnerable Mapping’ exercise for sensitive booths. Under this, the officers would need to inform about any case of intimidation of voters by the candidates and their supporters to the Zonal Officer for further police action. The police station In-charges would have to visit the ‘catchment areas’ of polling centres and inform the polling cell about any complaints received during their visit to the catchment areas.