NORTH LAKHIMPUR, March 28 - The Lakhimpur district administration has completed its preparedness for the upcoming Assembly polls scheduled on April 4 with completion of training of micro observer, poll personnel, zonal and sector officers and other staff. This was stated by Lakhimpur Deputy Commissioner Debeswar Malakar in a press meet held in his office today. It may be mentioned here that Lakhimpur district has 2,43,359 voters in its three LACs � 109-Bihpuria, 110-Nowboicha and 111-Lakhimpur with 30 candidates in the electoral fray.
There are nine flying squads monitoring all poll-related functions equipped with GPS in the district which have already removed 750 hoardings, banners and whitewashed walls and poles in 830 places in Bihpuria; removed 813 hoardings and whitewashed 965 places in Narayanpur; removed 813 hoardings and whitewashed 650 places in Nowboicha and removed 1845 hoardings and whitewashed 11325 places in North Lakhimpur.
The election authorities have also seized 4486 litres of illicit liquor and Rs 8.85 lakhs cash so far in Lakhimpur district, of which Rs three lakhs have been returned as they were found to be genuine, the DC said. The district administration has appointed 22 zonal officers, 672 presiding officers, 2036 polling officers for poll duty while polling materials would be issued and received in 40 counters attended by 288 personnel. Six model polling stations, two each for three LACs of the district have been set up with facilities like mineral water, sitting arrangements for voters, welcome gates, signage, proper lighting with fan, first aid, fire extinguishers and wheelchairs.
Similarly, 10 polling stations per LAC would be covered by webcasting while two polling stations would be run by all-women polling personnel, Malakar said. The Lakhimpur district administration has been conducting a survey of physically handicapped voters by asking the BLOs to record the data of such persons while distributing voter�s slips door-to-door. So far, 32 wheelchairs have been arranged for such voters in the district. The Superintendent of Police, Lakhimpur Vivek Raj Singh said that all measures have beentaken up to ensure free and fair polls in the district.