Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Mar 16: Deputy commissioner (DC) Mullai Muhilan said that Lok Sabha polls will be held in Dakshina Kannada (DK) on April 26.
Addressing media on Saturday March 16, the DC said, "Nomination filing will commence on April 4, followed by the withdrawal of nominations on April 8. Election Day is scheduled for April 26, where voters will cast their ballots to determine their representatives. Subsequently, vote counting will take place on June 4.
“According to the latest voter data as of March 15, the district has a total of 1,796,826 eligible voters, comprising 877,438 males, 919,321 females, and 67 transgender individuals. Notably, Mangaluru South stands out with the highest number of voters, totalling 248,956.
“Service voters, including 523 individuals (481 males and 42 females), are registered for the upcoming polls. Among them are 35,689 first-time voters, with Beltangady leading in this category with 5,058 newcomers.
“The district also houses 21,887 elderly voters aged 80 and above, including 13,159 individuals aged 85+, 8,269 aged 90+, and 459 centenarians.
“Moreover, there are 14,195 registered Persons with Disabilities (PWD) voters who will exercise their franchise across 1,876 voting centers.
“To ensure smooth conduct, 17 district-level nodal officers and 8 assistant election officers have been appointed for the 8 constituencies. Additionally, stringent measures, including the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct from March 16 to June 6, are in place,” he said.
The DC highlighted the provision for new voter enrolment until March 24, with approved additions accommodated in the voters' supplement list.
He also added, “Further enhancing election security, the district administration has deployed extensive surveillance teams, including 24 video surveillance teams, 72 flying squads, 69 static surveillance teams, 186 officer sector teams, 8 video viewing teams, 8 Model Code of Conduct (MCC) teams, 8 accounting teams, and 8 assistant expenditure observers.
“To fortify border areas, check posts have been established at strategic locations across Beltangady, Moodbidri, Mangaluru North, Mangaluru South, Mangalore, Bantwal, Puttur, and Sullia,” he said.
Police commissioner Anupam Agrawal stated, "We have taken preventive measures against 777 individuals. If necessary, we will invoke the Goonda Act and expel the accused. Additionally, there are 1700 licensed weapons in the city commissioner's possession, which will be deposited."
SP C B Rishyanth said, "A total of 1058 preventive initiatives have been implemented against rowdy elements and individuals involved in cases from previous elections. We have proposed the expulsion of 57 individuals and plan to invoke the Goonda Act in the coming days."