Besides taking all out measures for the peaceful conduct of the Lok Sabha elections, the district administration has also put in place a foolproof mechanism to instantaneously attend to poll-related complaints, said V. Sampath, District Collector.
Mr. Sampath told reporters that all the 2,984 polling stations, including the four newly created sub-polling stations, would be fully secured by deployment of 18,076 polling officials and police personnel.
Special attention would be paid to vulnerable polling stations where Internet webcasting would be made for constant monitoring of the entire poll procedure. The polling materials would be transported in a safe and secure manner under the supervision of 271 zonal officers and 271 armed guards.
The Collector further said that outside the polling stations all the main thoroughfares, link roads, check-posts and toll gates would come under round-the-clock scrutiny of the “static surveillance teams” whose members would carry out thorough checking of vehicles.
Carrying unaccounted cash above Rs. 50,000, weapons, liquor smuggling and articles meant for free distribution to voters would be an offence and stringent action would be taken against those who were indulging in such prohibited acts.
The Collector also noted that to ensure scrupulous adherence to the Model Code of Conduct video surveillance teams would be pressed into service. He also stated that all the poll related complaints would be immediately attended to and instant remedial action taken.
For the purpose all the telecommunication modes would be put into use. Such complaints could be registered with Sub-Collector over cellphone — 7845334445 or to the tahsildar — 9442121277, or with the toll free number — 1800-425-7015 (four lines), or send short messaging service (SMS) to cellphone — 7598117514.
The complaints could also be received through the e-mail — Villupuram2014complaints @gmail.com.
Voters’ strengthThe Collector also noted that the total number of voters in the district had touched 25,33,205, including 12,74,633 men, 12,58,316 women and 256 others. At least in four Assembly segments such as Ginjee, Tindivanam, Vanur and Villupuram, the women voters marginally outnumber men voters.
While Ulundurpet segment has the highest number of 1,33,334 voters the Mayilam segment has the lowest number of 1,02,876 voters. The polling stations have been set up to cater to the voters at the rate of 1,300 in the rural areas and 1,500 in the urban areas, the Collector added.
