COIMBATORE: A day after the model code of conduct for the assembly election came into force in the state, collector K Rajamani, who is also the district election officer, told TOI that 30 flying squads have been formed for the 10 assembly constituencies in the district. Three squads each would be deployed at each assembly constituency from Monday morning. Presently, the squad members are undergoing training.
He also directed all the local bodies to remove posters and banners, which were put up by political parties, from the streets and walls.
Following this, city corporation staff were on Saturday morning seen removing the ruling party’s posters from the pillars of Ukkadam flyover.
Rajamani said 30 static surveillance teams (three teams for each constituency), 20 video surveillance teams (two teams for each constituency), 10 video viewing teams (one for each constituency) and 10 accounting teams have also been formed in the district. “We are now training the team members and all the teams will be deployed in the field from Monday.”
He said people carrying Rs 50,000 or more in cash should keep enough documents with them. ‘Otherwise, the cash will be seized and released only after producing the source of money. If they fail to do so, the amount will be deposited at the treasury.”
The collector said the Election Commission of India (ECI) had directed them to split the polling stations into two, if the number of voters exceeded 1,050. “With the addition of 1,379 auxiliary polling stations, the district now has 4,427 polling stations, compared to the earlier 3,048. These booths are spread across 1,084 locations.”
According to him, the district has 5,523 control units, 7,414 ballot units (electronic voting machines) and 5912 VVPATs (voter verifiable paper audit trial). “We need 21,250 polling personnel and we identified them. They will be trained soon.”
To receive complaints related to poll code, a control room has been set up at the district collectorate and a toll-free number would be announced on Monday.