CCTVs to be police’s third eye for polls

Feeds from cameras at or near polling booths to be monitored around the clock

The recently installed city-wide closed circuit television (CCTV) camera network will aid the Mumbai Police’s security arrangements for the civic polls. Voting will be on February 21, and vote counting on February 23.

As with all events during which crowds are expected, the police will be enforcing tight security arrangements across the city.

“The CCTV camera network will be a big help this time,” said Mumbai Police Commissioner D.D. Padsalgikar, “as we will have personnel watching feeds from cameras that will cover polling booths and nearby roads at all times. Apart from this, all necessary precautions will be taken. Our

bandobast will come into effect from the evening of February 19, the deadline for all campaigning to stop.”

High alert

Police personnel will be on their toes two days before the polls. Shiv Jayanti on February 19 will see the police out in force from morning. Then, starting in the evening and up to the morning of February 21, they will need to be on the lookout for violations of the election code of conduct. And on February 21, they will need to ensure voting is peaceful.

Mumbai Police spokesperson DCP Ashok Dudhe. said, “Apart from our entire strength, we are also calling in several companies and platoons of the State Reserve Police Force, the Riot Control Police and the Home Guards. Meetings have been conducted with all political party workers at police station level to ensure that no law and order problems occur during the election.”

Based on a survey of events reported at different polling booths over the last few elections, the Special Branch, has prepared a report of sensitive polling booths, and the police will be imposing additional security measures as well as stepping up patrolling in those areas.

The entire polling process will also be recorded on video cameras by the officers in charge of each booth as well as by Election Commission officers.