The election authorities have made elaborate security arrangements to ensure that the bypoll in the R.K Nagar Assembly constituency is conducted in a free and fair manner.
More than 1,500 police personnel from the city and 15 companies of para-military forces have been deployed. City Police Commissioner A.K. Viswanathan personally inspected the checkposts to monitor the movement of vehicles in the constituency on Friday.
“All arrangements have been made to ensure the bypoll is free and fair. All police teams will work without giving room for any complaint,” Mr. Viswanathan said.
The constituency has 256 polling booths in over 50 buildings. To prevent distribution of cash or gifts to lure the voters, police officials continue to remain vigilant in coordination with other agencies. As many as 12 checkposts have been established.
Vigil intensified
Intensifying the vigil, six flying squads, four surveillance teams, 34 mobile patrol teams on four-wheelers and 26 teams on two-wheelers were deployed on Saturday.
“All steps have been taken to ensure implementation of the regulations of Election Commission restricting door-to-door canvass between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Though door-to-door canvassing is not allowed between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., there is no bar on public campaign after getting due permission,” he said.
Mr. Viswanathan reviewed the arrangements with Additional Commissioner of Police H.M. Jayaram and Joint Commissioner of Police R. Sudhakar.
Besides the city police, 15 companies of Central paramilitary forces and the Central Industrial Security Force will be deployed, along with personnel from the Armed Police and Swift Action Group.
“Following the Election Commission’s instructions, we are strictly implementing all regulations to prevent money distribution. Only vehicles that have a pass issued by the Returning Officer are allowed for campaign or poll-related activity. The Inspector of the area will be held accountable for any lapse. Every night, a Deputy Commissioner with seven inspectors are on duty,” said a senior police officer.
For conducting any poll rally, the parties or candidates have to get due permission after specifying the number of participants. If the number is beyond the limit, permission will be denied. The jurisdictional police officers will be responsible in case of flouting of rules, he said. Meanwhile, election officials on Saturday seized a total of ₹5.21 lakh, including ₹2 lakh in the evening from a road on the border between Royapuram and R.K. Nagar.
