District Election Officer and District Collector H. Krishnanunni has said vulnerable polling booths in 238 polling stations in the Erode (East) Assembly constituency were being identified, and based on the final list of vulnerable polling booths, paramilitary personnel would be deployed during the by-election on February 27.
Addressing the media here on Monday, after conducting an all-party meeting at the Collectorate, he said the model code of conduct (MCC) came into effect starting January 18 and doubts raised by political parties about the MCC were explained in detail during the meeting.
He said no cash or gift items were seized by the static surveillance teams (SST) or flying surveillance teams (FST) in the constituency and added that guidelines issued by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the conduct of election are being followed.
Mr. Krishnanunni said 238 polling stations were established for the bypoll and more would be set up if needed. “As per the last election, 20 polling stations were identified as vulnerable, and we continue to inspect such polling stations,” he said, and added that the number of vulnerable stations would change based on the inspection.
He said based on the final list, paramilitary personnel would be deputed. He asked individuals to have valid documents if they were carrying cash above ₹50,000, failing which the cash would be seized.
Mr. Krishnanunni said textile traders were present in large numbers in the constituency and a meeting would be conducted to explain the MCC to them.
Returning Officer and Corporation Commissioner K. Sivakumar, District Revenue Officer S. Santhoshini Chandra, Superintendent of Police V. Sasimohan and representatives of recognised political parties were present at the meeting.
