District Collector and Returning Officer M. Ram Mohan Rao said on Wednesday that all arrangements were in place for the smooth conduct of polling from 8 am to 6 pm in this Lok Sabha constituency comprising seven Assembly segments.
Over 26,000 EVMs, VVPATS and central units would be used in 1,788 polling stations. Each polling station would have 12 ballot units consisting names and symbols of 185 contesting candidates and NOTA. “This is a historic polling as the largest number of 185 candidates is in the fray for the first time after EVMs were introduced and it is a big challenge for the election machinery,” he said while giving details of polling at a press conference.
The Collector said a total of 12,000 staff including 700 micro observers are deployed for polling and each PS has been given one set of ballet units keeping another set with the Sectoral Officer (SO). Further, one SO has been posted for every five polling stations unlike for every 12 in the last Assembly elections. Over 600 engineers and technicians from Bharat Electronics Limited have been kept ready to attend to any technical snag, he said. Awareness on polling process was created among voters through different methods and model polling stations were set up for the purpose. Vinyl boards displaying the shape of EVMs were erected before the PSs. The ballot units would be set up in ‘L’ shape with VVPAT at the centre, said the Collector. Over 15.53 lakh voters are expected to cast their vote. If need be helicopter service would also be used, Mr. Rao said.
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Tight security
Commissioner of Police Kartikeya said a total of 4,000 police personnel, including civil and armed reserve (1,600), home guards (400), CAPF and SAPF (1,100), other State forces (370) and TS police from deputation units (300) were deployed for the peaceful conduct of polling in Nizambad constituency.
As many as 32 strike forces, six special strike forces and 12 additional striking forces were kept ready and 14 additional pickets were set up. Six check-posts, and sub inspector and circle inspector level officers have been posted at 84 polling stations. All critical polling stations are covered with CCTVs and surveillance cameras, he said at a press conference.
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