Mangalore/Udupi: Twin Dists All Ready to Face Polls
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal/Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore/Udupi (SB)
Mangalore/Udupi, Dec 30: With campaigning coming to a halt in twin districts of Dakhina Kannda and Udupi for the Zilla Panchayat and Taluk Panchayat polls, elaborate arrangements security and otherwise have been made by district administration for smooth conduct of polls.
In all 299 polling booths are under the Mangalore commissionerate, while 25 ZPs and 92 TPs comprising Bantwal, Puttur, Beltangady and Sullia taluks come under Dakshina Kannada police. There are in all 728 polling booths in these four taluks. In all 3,300 police strength has been deployed for the election purpose in the district.
Deputy Commissioner Hemalatha said two EVMs will be used in each polling station with as many as 721 polling stations in the district. About 1,880 control units have been set up besides 1,730 ballot units. About five polling officials including one Group D worker will accompany the presiding officer in each polling station. As many as 793 presiding officers, 3,172 polling officials and 793 Group D workers have been deployed in the district for the polls, she added.
As many as 74 candidates are in fray for the 25 ZP seats in the district and the district has as many as 6,71,712 voters.
In Udupi, Saint Cecily’s High School, Brahmagiri, will be mustering, demustering and counting centre, while in Kundapur, it's Bhandarkar’s Arts and Science College. In Karkala, Mini Vidhana Soudha will be mustering centre whereas Sri Manjunatha Memorial First Grade College will be de-mustering and counting centre. Holidays have been declared for schools and colleges in rural areas across the district. About 58 counting tables will be put for ZP polls and about 95 counting tables for TP polls.
Security Arrangements
DAR and KSRP platoons are deployed in 47 polling booths in naxal infested areas besides continuous combing operations. As many as 95 mobile patrolling vehicles are put on duty in the district. Two teams of special police have arrived from Tamil Nadu with 3 DySPs, 14 inspectors, 33 SIs, 52 ASIs, 188 HCs, 624 Constables, 175 Armed Constables and 500 Home Guards being deployed for the purpose of election.