With the announcement of Lok Sabha elections, officials in the district began enforcing the model code of conduct from Monday.
Among the first measures initiated by them it the city was erasure of wall writings, especially those of political parties. Teams of workers started erasing the wall writings in Tiruchi city, besides removing hoardings, banners and billboards.
Collector S. Sivarasu, who inspected the process at J.K.Nagar, said wall writings in public places had been ordered to be erased within 24 hours. Those on private buildings should be removed within 48 hours.
He also disclosed that flying and static squads headed by officers in the rank of a tahsildar had been constituted in the district to supervise enforcement of the model code of conduct. The squads would include a videographer and function on rotation on eight-hour shifts.
Complaints
In case of complaints of any violation of the model code, including distribution of money or gifts to voters, the flying squad would visit the spot and initiate appropriate action.
People would be allowed to carry up to ₹50,000 in cash without any document. Those carrying sums above ₹50,000 would be required to have supporting documents.
In case of failure to produce relevant documents, the cash would be seized. Similarly, those transporting products above the value of ₹10,000 should carry supporting documents with them.
Vehicle checks were being conducted in all parts of the district and the static teams would conduct vehicle checks at nine places in the district, Mr. Sivarasu said.
NSS volunteers
Meanwhile, Tiruchi Rural Police convened a meeting with National Service Scheme (NSS) coordinators of various city colleges here on Friday seeking their assistance in mobilising volunteers for election duty.
The meeting held at the District Police Office and presided over by Superintendent of Police, Tiruchi, Ziaul Haque was attended by NSS coordinators of eight colleges including Bishop Heber College, Jamal Mohamed College, Government Arts College, Thuvakudi, Nehru Memorial College and Urumu Dhanalakshmi College.
Tiruchi Rural Police had planned to engage ex-servicemen, retired police personnel, NSS volunteers and Home Guards to assist law enforcers in poll duty.
Police sources said the requirement of NSS volunteers for poll duty was putforth to the NSS coordinators during the course of the meeting.
Tiruchi Rural Police had compiled the number of polling booths which came under their jurisdiction in the district in addition to the district police manpower strength.
The sources said the NSS volunteers would be engaged at polling booths for formation of queue of voters and facilitating them in exercising their franchise without by hassles thereby assisting the security personnel deployed at the booths.
The NSS coordinators were also informed that steps would be taken to ensure that their volunteers were deployed in booths nearby to them.
