Campaigning for the local body elections has gathered momentum in the district with the list of candidates becoming clear after the scrutiny.
However, political fronts are expected to take the plunge into no-holds-barred campaigning after working out their strategies to get the rebel candidates off the field to ensure that they don’t play spoilsport.
The final picture about the candidates would be known once the time for the withdrawal of nominations expires at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The allocation of symbols will also be finalised by that time.
A five-member committee led by Assistant Collector Angel Bhatia is keeping an eye on the campaign trail for potential violations of the election code of conduct. Those found guilty would be dealt with sternly as per the guidelines of the State Election Commission (SEC).
The committee assisted by a police contingent will remove the illegally erected posters, flex boards and hoardings and report it promptly to the monitoring committee chaired by the District Collector. Meanwhile, the police have been asked to deploy enough force in all polling booths, counting centres and wherever necessary.
Individuals with gun licences have been asked to surrender their weapons while a close watch is kept to check any clandestine movement of alcohol, money and arms.
So far, 414 polling booths in the district have been identified as sensitive. While 131 such booths fall under the jurisdiction of the City Police Commissioner, 283 will remain under the jurisdiction of the District Police Chief.
These counting centres will witness double the security compared to other polling booths.
414 polling booths in district identified as sensitive.
