Even as the Election Commission of India announced that the polls for Lok Sabha and Assembly seats in the State will be held on April 11, the Visakhapatnam authorities have said that 4,052 polling booths will be set up in the district, of which 1,667 have been identified ‘problematic’ ones.
Stating that the administration was geared up to ensure free and fair polls, Collector K. Bhaskar told the media on Sunday that about 32,000 civil staff including micro-observers, squads, videographer teams and others would be deployed.
‘Model code in place’
“The model code of conduct for the general elections has come into effect immediately after announcement of poll schedule and any new announcement, sanction regarding any policies or programmes by the political parties in the district will amount to violation of the code,” Mr. Bhaskar said.
Any violation of code would attract action as per the rules. “No posters, banners and other publicity material will be allowed at public places without permission. Already sanctioned programmes, routine administrative works will becarried forward,” he said.
For meetings, rallies and etc, prior permission of police is a must, City Police Commissioner Mahesh Chandra Laddha said, adding that there would be 1,854 polling booths in the city limits, of which 464 polling booths have been identified problem-centric.
“Special focus will be laid on the critical booths. The plans regarding the bandobast and other security arrangements for the general elections have been been submitted to the ECI,” Mr. Laddha said.
‘Submit weapons’
Mr. Laddha said that there are about 723 weapon licence holders carrying 818 weapons in the city. Already, 566 people have submitted their weapons. “Many people who have shifted to Visakhapatnam from other regions are yet to register themselves. They must hand over the weapons after the due registrations. Action will be taken against the violators,” he said.
SP Attada Babujee said that 2,207 polling booths will be set up in the district police limits, of which 1,203 have been identified as critical due to various issues. Mr. Bhaskar said expenditure teams would monitor the activities of all political parties. The teams will check every rally and meeting. Social media will be under scanner for any promotional campaigns.
Online permission
“Subham and Suvidha online applications have been facilitated for seeking permissions from police, fire and other departments to organise rallies, public meetings and etc. Permissions will be accorded on the first-come-first-served basis and there will be single window clearance,” the SP said.
Poll schedule
Mr. Bhaskar further said that Andhra Pradesh would go to elections in first phase on April 11, and the notification will be issued on March 18. The last day of nomination for Assembly and Lok Sabha Elections is March 25 and on March 26, the nominations will be scrutinised. The last date of withdrawing nominations for both assembly and Lok Sabha is March 29, he said.
