Arrangements made for smooth polling in Shivamogga district

The district administration has made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth polling for the Assembly elections on May 12.

M. Lokesh, Deputy Commissioner, told press persons here on Wednesday that vigilance had been stepped up to avoid poll-related malpractices and violation of the model code of conduct (MCC). Checking of vehicles and baggage at all 35 check-posts has been intensified.

He said that prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code would be clamped in the district from 6 p.m. of May 10 to 6 p.m. of May 13 to maintain peace and order during polling. Taking out processions and staging protests would be banned during this period.

Mr. Lokesh said that the district had 14,26,208 voters that included 7,11,732 male and 7,14,415 female, while 61 people have got their names enrolled in the electoral roll as third gender voters. The district administration will set up 1,756 polling booths. A total number of 9,563 personnel drawn from various departments would be deputed for poll duty. As 20 candidates were in fray in Shivamogga segment, two electronic voting machine would be used here in each polling station, he added.

To motivate the ethnic communities to take part actively in the election process, the polling station number 185 in Hakkipikki Colony and 186 in Sadashivapura had been identified as ‘Adivasi’ polling stations. With the help of local artists, both these polling stations had been designed on the model of Hakkipikki dwelling, he said.

Seizure worth ₹1.94 cr.

Rakesh Kumar K., CEO of zilla panchayat who is nodal officer for enforcement of MCC said that unaccounted for cash and kind worth ₹1.94 crore that was being transported without seeking permission from authorities had been seized by election officials in the district after the notification was issued for the election.