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Goalpara district all set for smooth election

By Correspondent

GOALPARA, April 9 � The district administration is all set for the second phase of Assembly polls on April 11. The Deputy Commisioner, Dr P Ashok Babu, who is also the District Election Officer (DEO) said that all precautionary measures have been taken to ensure smooth conduct of the polls. He also said that the district administration has 871 EVMs for all the 669 polling stations and as per the instructions of the Election Commision of India, the Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) were rechecked at the district storage centre at Golapara College and randomized in presence of representatives of the political parties for allocations, to be used in the 4 LACs: 36-Dudhnoi LAC, 37-Goalpara East LAC, 37-Goalpara West LAC and 39-Jaleswar LAC.

Meanwhile, he said that 19 poll-related complaints have been addressed and the complainants were satisfied with the prompt action taken by the administration. Regarding, complaints relating to the poll expenditure by a candidate, the DEO said that the Expenditure Observer has detected more than 30 instances and notices served to them, where the contesting candidate has not been able to show the amount spent in excess. Dr Babu also said the administartion is maintaining a Folder of Evidence and a Shadow Register separately for each candidate and all financial discrepancies detected are logged for future action,if need be.

Meanwhile Luis Aind, Supreintendent of Police said that all the alloted 23 companies (18 BSF companies, 1 ITBP, 1 SSB, 3 RPF) arrived in the district and placed in their Area of Responsibility (AOR) along with more than 1000 Assam Police personnel keeping round the clock vigil through out the district, the army stationed at Agia, Balijana and Lakhipur has been put on alert and patrolling along the Goalpara-Meghlaya border and that night zone patrolling is also being carried out by special forces. He added that the district has been divided into 12 police zones and each zone put under a gazzetted officer and police officer from the rank of sub inspector to addl. suprientendent to minimise the reaction time of the forces which are dealing with law and order situation during the polls. Moreover, an officer of the rank of IGP has been placed to oversee the law and order situation in the district.

Saifar Rahman, Election Officer said that all polling material will be escorted by armed police and the first batch of polling officer to the remote areas has been sent already. He also said that more than 3,200 poll personnel were given rigorous training and the adequate arrangements have been made for security of the strong room and placed under the watchful eyes of Central para military forces in presence of agents of various political parties under the charge of Prinicipal Secretary of Rabha-Hasong. Meanwhile, for 100% voters awareness, 30 hoardings have been placed at various sites, more than 1 lakh leaflets distributed, Booth Level Officers and DIPRO have also been pressed in to service. The Song and Drama division and street plays were also organised for sensitizing voters. He further added that voters were sensitised on the use of EVM at variuos market places, rural haats.

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