Ludhiana, January 13
Deputy Commissioner S.K. Sandhu has asked Returning Officers (ROs) of different constituencies and police officials concerned to keep constant liaison to ensure free and fair elections and to implement the model code of conduct.
He was addressing a joint meeting of Returning Officers and police officials concerned here today to discuss the problems that might crop up in the coming days. Mr Sandhu said the list of sensitive villages would be reviewed and if required, villages and localities could be added to or deleted from the list.
The DC said a sufficient number of EVMs had been received by the administration and handed over to the ROs concerned. He asked all ROs to give comprehensive training to supervisors and other poll staff and to arrange a number of public meetings to apprise people about the functioning of EVMs. He said the poll staff required was being deputed within a week.
Mr Sandhu asked the ROs and police officials to remain vigilant about the activities of persons who had been involved in election-related offences in the past. He added that a list of telephone numbers and mobile telephone numbers of all ROs and police officials concerned would be provided to all of them to ensure efficient liaison. He also told them not to allow anybody to enter the area in the jurisdiction of polling stations on election day except those who were issued permits.
SSP Harpreet Singh Sidhu said security arrangements were being made for free and peaceful elections and asked the officials to be strict with law-breakers in their jurisdiction. He added that Mr Naunihal Singh, SP(HQ), had been made nodal officer relating to election arrangements and to deal with such correspondence.
Mr Ishwar Singh, SSP, Khanna, said in Khanna police district, security arrangements had been completed and Mr Ram Singh SP (HQ) had been made the nodal officer. Mr Balkar Singh, SSP, Jagraon, said that sufficient police force had been deployed for maintaining peace during elections and SP (HQ) and DSP(HQ), Jagraon, had been made nodal officers for the district.
