If the bypoll was relatively without incident, then much of the credit may well go to the Election Commission officials working with the Chennai Corporation and the city police.
From the day of notification, the police installed check posts in 12 places in the constituency to tighten surveillance. “Learning from past experience, we introduced several new measures from day one. We worked in close coordination with the Corporation officials and election officials to ensure peaceful polling. Commissioner A. K. Viswanathan frequently visited the area and gave instructions,” said Additional Commissioner of Police H. M. Jayaram to The Hindu.
Mobilising forces
Ahead of the campaign, history-sheeters were taken into custody or had to execute bonds assuring that they would not indulge in any unlawful activities. As and when any complaint was received from candidates on money distribution, quick action was taken, said the police.
Mobilising forces and machinery from the entire city, the police deployed 30 mobile patrolling jeeps and 39 two-wheelers for round-the-clock duty. Armed Central Paramilitary personnel supported the local police.
Besides the Commissioner of Police and Additional Commissioner, who reviewed the deployment, two joint commissioners, four deputy commissioners and many teams led by inspectors patrolled the constituency to ensure that there was no disturbance on the ground.
“We did not allow anybody to loiter around the polling stations within a 100-metre distance, and ensured that people formed orderly queues at the polling booths. Plainclothes men were deployed to monitor and prevent any disturbances,” said a senior police officer.
All the electronic voting machines have been sealed and stored in a strong room in Queen Mary’s College where counting will take place on Sunday.
