Though all eyes are on the candidates contesting for gram panchayat (GP) seats in Belagavi, which goes to polls in the first phase on May 29, the State Election Commission and the district administration look forward to a higher voter turnout this time.
The polling for 7,239 seats of the total 8,453 in 480 GPs would be held from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. As many as 20,033 contestants are in the fray, including 8,937 women.
Deputy Commissioner N. Jayaram told reporters on Thursday that a total of 14,982 staff from various departments had been drafted for the polling exercise. Meanwhile, prohibition of sale of liquor in all outlets, including bars and restaurants had been imposed with effect from 6 a.m. on Thursday until Friday midnight.
He said the police authorities had made massive bundobast for smooth conduct of polls.
So far, 222 raids have been conducted and 49 persons arrested, and illegally transported liquor worth Rs. 17.20 lakh and 46 vehicles seized on the charges of violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
Dharwad
Elections for 135 gram panchayats in Dharwad district will be held on Friday. As many as 5,867 candidates, including 3,300 men and 2,567 women, are contesting the elections in 1,960 seats. Voting will be held from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The district administration has made elaborate arrangements for the polls in villages. Ballot papers, ballot boxes and other equipment have been sent to the respective polling stations. Additional police staff have been deputed to ensure free and fair voting. The district had 696 polling stations, of which 103 polling stations have been identified as hyper-sensitive, 155 as sensitive and 438 as normal polling stations.
The Department of Excise officials have cnoducted several raids on the illegal liquor racket in the district over the past few days. The officials said that so far nearly 54 raids have been conducted in various places of the district and 36 cases have been filed. Nearly, 25 people have been arrested in connection with the illegal transportation of liquor.
Ban on sale of alcohol during the days of polling
Raids and arrests over illegal liquor transportation and other model code violations
