To ensure that no untoward incident takes place in any of the 2,527 polling stations on Thursday, security agencies and the Election Commission have taken several measures. All the polling stations will be cordoned off by security personnel five hours before voting starts.
As many as 35,000 personnel will be deployed to ensure a smooth run during the polls. The Delhi Police, which comprises the bulk of this strength, will be assisted by 4,000 Home Guards and several companies of other paramilitary forces as well as armed police from other States. The Central Reserve Police Force, which is the nodal agency, has deployed 19 companies, while the Central Industrial Police Force has deployed seven.
The Chief Electoral Officer has identified 417 critical and 90 hyper-critical polling stations. The police said there will be additional deployment in these stations and commandos will also be stationed there. All polling stations will be under CCTV surveillance and a separate headquarter has been set up to monitor the video feeds.
“The CISF will deploy a total of seven companies on polling day. Two of those companies will guard the electronic voting machines and ensure their smooth transfer to the polling stations. The remaining five will be on patrolling duty and leave for Rajasthan after the electronic voting machines are moved to the counting centres,” said an officer.
Among the additional security measures, heavy vehicles would not be allowed to enter the Capital on polling day. A police source said often such vehicles have been found to carry alcohol to bribe voters. This time dedicated teams of the Delhi Police, along with the Delhi Government Excise Department, are on the prowl to curb illegal distribution of liquor.
