Polling parties dispatched, district all set for panchayat elections

The district is all set for panchayat elections with election staff leaving for their respective polling booths here on Monday. Polling staff members were issued ballot boxes and other poll-related material from election offices set up in various blocks of the district.

Of the total 858 panchayats in the district, elections would be held for the post of 666 sarpanches as in 192 villages the candidate was elected unopposed. Similarly, 1,091 panchayat members too had been elected unopposed.

District officials said the elections would be held at 1,030 polling booths. In all, 1,0491 employees from various government departments had been assigned duties to conduct panchayat elections.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sakshi Sawhney said people could cast their vote from 8 am to 4 pm. She said counting of votes would be held and election results announced on the same day. The DC said voters could use their voter card, Aadhaar Card, Pan Card, passport, MGNREGA card, driving licence, ration card and BPL card as an identity proof to cast their vote.

The administration has banned sale and consumption of liquor at public places in the rural areas to ensure law and order situation during the elections. As per administration orders, storage and sale of liquor on October 16 till 10 am was not allowed. Restaurants and hotels in these areas had also been instructed not to serve liquor on their premises.

In order to tackle any medical emergencies during the elections, the administration had asked the Health Department to deploy medical staff in all health institutions of the rural areas till the polling process was over.

The DC said elections would be conducted in a free and fair manner. She said the police were keeping a close watch on antisocial and criminal elements to ensure that they do not create any law and order problem in the district. She said people must participate in the elections and ensure that only deserving candidates were elected.