Elaborate arrangements for local body polls in Tirupati: Collector
Tirupati, Oct 29 (TNT): Tirupati District Collector S. Venkateshwar on Thursday said elaborate arrangements had been made to conduct municipal, Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) and Zilla Parishad Territorial Constituency (ZPTC) elections in a free, fair and peaceful manner across the district.
Addressing a press conference at the Collectorate, he said polling for four municipalities would be held on November 1, with counting on November 3, while MPTC and ZPTC elections would be conducted on November 5, with repolling, if required, scheduled for November 6.
The Collector said the final lists of contesting candidates for municipal elections had been published and printing of ballot papers was nearing completion.
The final lists for MPTC and ZPTC elections were finalised on October 27, and ballot paper printing was progressing, he said.
Polling materials for municipal elections would be distributed on October 31, while those for MPTC and ZPTC polls would be distributed on November 4, he said.
To ensure transparency, CCTV cameras would be installed at all polling stations, while video recording would be arranged wherever camera installation was not feasible. Webcasting would be provided at critical and hypersensitive polling stations under the supervision of the State Election Commission (SEC), he said.
The Collector said postal ballot facilitation centres were being established for personnel deployed on election duties.
Training had been provided to polling personnel, while arrangements had been made for the transportation of election materials, strong-room security and counting, the Collector said.
He said the administration had identified potential trouble spots and taken preventive measures to avert violence and other untoward incidents.
Separate routes had been planned for election personnel, counting staff and strong-room personnel to ensure smooth operations, he said.
District Superintendent of Police L. Subbarayudu said comprehensive security arrangements had been made, with the Model Code of Conduct and SEC guidelines being strictly enforced.
Problematic and hypersensitive areas had been identified for special surveillance through mobile teams. Striking Forces and Special Striking Forces would be deployed to respond to emergencies, while three-tier security involving Armed Reserve personnel and special forces would be provided at strong rooms and counting centres until the completion of counting, he said.
CCTV cameras, webcasting, video cameras and drones would be used to monitor the election process. A special response mechanism had also been established to ensure swift action in the event of disturbances, he said.
Warning of stringent legal action against those attempting to disrupt the elections, the SP appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to cooperate with the authorities and maintain peace.
The Collector appealed to all eligible voters to exercise their franchise without fear and participate in large numbers to improve polling percentage.
Joint Collector R. Govinda Rao, Municipal Corporation Commissioner M. Jayakrishna and District Revenue Officer Narasimhulu attended the press conference.
TNT LE
