Choppers will be used to ferry the polling parties to the sensitive and hyper-sensitive polling stations in restive Bastar division of Chhattisgarh for the three-phased Panchayat polls. As many as seven helicopters will be utilised for the purpose. This was decided in a meeting of senior officers of the State Election Commission (SEC) and the State Government held here on Monday.
The sensitive and hyper sensitive polling stations have been identified in Narayanpur, Sukma, Kanker, Bijapur and Dantewada districts of Bastar region and choppers will be used for transporting polling parties for security reasons. The timing of polls in Bastar division will be 6.45 am to 2 pm. The district collectors apprised the senior officers of the preparations for the polls. Some district election officers demanded for additional ballot boxes.
State Election Commissioner PC Dalei immediately directed the senior officers to make arrangement for ballot boxes according to the demand. It was informed in the meeting that proposal has been prepared for counting of votes of the sensitive and hyper-sensitive polling stations at the development block headquarters. Necessary arrangements are being made at block headquarters in this regard.
Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand said that panchayati raj institutions have a special significance in decentralisation of power in the State and hence necessary measures should be taken to ensure free, fair and transparent election so that the elected representative play a role in development. Dhand said that the collectors of Bastar divisions have to carry out important responsibility in conducting free and fair polls.
He directed the officers for a time-bound plan for helicopters to be used in ferrying the polling parties. Dalei said that to conduct the election smoothly in all areas, the schedule has been prepared with practical approach. “Panchayat polls are the most important election of the democratic system and it needs special arrangements since polling is done through ballot papers,” he said.
Dalei directed the district election officers to ensure proper security arrangements through mutual coordination and remain extra cautious. For shifting polling station, he said that if needed, proposals should be submitted with the SEC for approval. Additional Chief Secretary, Home, NK Aswal reviewed the preparations to maintain law and order during the elections and directed the district election officers to hold regular meetings to review the preparations.
Special attention should be paid on security arrangements and there should be full coordination between police and administrative officers, said Aswal. He further said that routes should be identified for transportation of polling parties. Special attention should be given on security aspects while preparing the route for naxal-affected areas.
Aswal directed the officers to check transport of illegal liquor and take action against anti-social elements. Director General of Police AN Upadhyaya said that on the basis of previous experiences, proper arrangements should be made for this election. A strategy should be chalked out with practical approach for deployment of security forces. The local officers and employees are very well aware of the ground realities and circumstances and their help should be taken for free and peaceful polls, said Upadhyaya.
later, State Election Commissiner Dalei said that officers and employees from urban areas should be assigned duties if there is shortage of officials for election in any development block. He directed the collectors to send regular information about preparations for polls.