SIVASAGAR, March 19 - Sivasagar Election District administration of Jorhat parliamentary seat comprising three Legislative Assembly constituencies, namely, Thowra, Sivasagar and Amguri is preparing to hold parliamentary election during the first phase, i.e., on April 11 next.
Addressing mediapersons today at the Sukapha Bhawan, Dr Laksmanan S, Deputy Commissioner of Sivasagar and Assistant Returning Officer, informed that there are 506 polling stations in the district with a total increase of 52 polling stations when compared to the 2014 election.
Of them, 196 are in Sivasagar LAC, 166 in Amguri LAC and 144 in Thowra LAC. Altogether, 2,400 polling personnel engaged against the polling stations are being imparted training at Demow Girls� High School, Auniati HS School in Amguri and Sivasagar College. About 450 officials will be in charge of the election management cells. More than 3,73,982 voters will cast their votes in the district � 1,18,000 are in Amguri LAC, 1,46,655 are in Sivasagar LAC and 10,800 are in Thowra LAC.
To involve more and more voters, the Election Department is conducting EVM use and familiarisation programme throughout the district and mock poll exercises have been conducted among 37,000 villagers in 349 villages so far, besides carrying out programmes like �Chunab Pathshalas� and other sensitising activities to attract the new voters.
On paid news, Dr Laksmanan said that the MCMC Cell will monitor the candidates and political parties� activities and expenditure incurred in campaigning. He urged all to inform the ARO by toll-free number 1950 about any report which can violate the sanctity of free and fair election. He also spoke on what exactly constitutes paid news.
Addressing the mediapersons, Superintendent of Police Amitabh Sinha said that Sivasagar Police will be looking into security aspects of the poll scenario in over 678 polling stations within Sivasagar election district, besides a part of Mahmora LAC.
He said that 1,500 police and Home Guard personnel are being engaged and 16 companies of paramilitary units are being sought to assist the district police. He added that out of the 84 critical polling stations, most of them are located along the Assam-Nagaland border. He requested the mediapersons to cooperate and inform police in the Police Control Room about any incident or development that can disrupt law and order.
He added that a Flying Squad and monitoring unit has already been pressed into service to check anti-social activities, use of liquor and illegal transactions.
Jagadish Brahma, District Election Officer, informed the media about the Model Code of Conduct being in vogue following the election notification, besides obligations and responsibilities of the political parties, candidates and socially conscious citizens.
