The Election Commission of India (EC) is joining hands with the Forest Department to take precautionary measures for the smooth conduct of elections in areas where man-elephant conflict is rampant.
The EC has worked out a list of measures to stop elephants from disrupting the election process in 68 polling booths in Alur, Arkalgud and Sakleshpur taluks, identifying them as “vulnerable for elephant attacks”. Among them, six are in the highly-sensitive zone.
Deputy Commissioner K.P. Mohan Raj said buses carrying election staff to the affected areas would be piloted by Forest Department staff. The staff will clear the route for poll duty staff.
“All buses on the 21 routes reaching the affected areas would be escorted by forest staff. The forest squad will monitor the area right through the election process,” he said.
The forest staff will also camp at six sensitive booths till the elections are over.
Dos and don’ts
The department will educate poll officials and the police on the dos and don’ts in the area to avoid encounters with wild elephants.
“We have taken these measures as instances of elephants treading into human habitat have increased in recent days,” the Deputy Commissioner added.
