In state assembly constituencies falling under Raipur district, in rural areas there are 19 polling centres having more than 1200 electors and in urban areas there are 22 polling centres having more than 1400 electors. Considering it, a demand for additional 17 auxiliary polling booths have been raised before Election Commission of India, said Raipur district Returning Officer and District Electoral Officer Dr Basavaraju S while briefing the media on Sunday.
On query of imposing section 144 of Cr.PC, District Collector clarified that it is to maintain law and order. The condition is that a person should not carry any type of arms mainly, guns, sharp edged weapons among others. The public meetings, rallies and others have to be done only after taking permission from the concerned nodal officer or Returning Officer. Two hardcore criminals have been sent out of district limits, around 8 more would be sent after completing the legal process, he added.
He said Assembly constituencies under Raipur district fall under second phase of polling mainly Dharsiewa, Raipur Rural, Raipur City West, Raipur City North, Raipur City South, Arang (SC) and Abhanpur. As per the election schedule in these seats, the notification would issued on October 26, last date for filing of nomination is November 2, scrutiny of nomination papers is on November 3, the names can be withdrawn on November 5 while the polling date is November 20 and counting would be held on December 11.
DEO said that in district there are 16,44,870 electors out of which 838964 are men and 805646 are women and 260 are third gender electors. The district has 1847 polling centres out of which 774 are in rural and 1073 are in urban area. Out of total polling booths, 169 are sensitive and three are critical sensitive. The sensitivity has been earmarked for highest polling recorded and the places were violence can erupt as per police assessment.
On defacement of property, he said around 80 percent of hoardings, posters, banners and others have been pulled down while on Sunday the process would continue. The ban of use of loudspeaker from 10.00 pm to 6.00 am has been imposed. Raipur collector said that Media Certification and Monitoring Committee would take stern action in case of any paid news is found.