Bhubaneswar: As the first phase of elections is set to be held in Odisha on Monday, elaborate security measures have been made and over 17,000 police personnel are being deployed at various places to ensure peaceful and smooth polling.
Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, Director General of Police (DGP) Arun Sarangi said special arrangements have been made for Maoist-affected areas to ensure trouble-free polling.
“Odisha Police is fully geared up for smooth, impartial, free and fair elections,” he said.
Notably, polling will be held for four Lok Sabha constituencies and 28 Assembly in the first phase on Monday. Voting will also be held on May 20, 25 and June 1 in next three phases.
Electronic Voting Machines (EVM), VVPAT, polling parties and other poll materials have been despatched to the respective constituencies amid proper security arrangements, he said.
Polling will be held at a total of 7298 polling stations in 6282 locations of nine districts out of which some booths are in Maoist-dominated areas.
Ot the total forces being deployed, 104 companies of central forces and 66 platoons SAPs will be mobilised, while 600 mobile parties will inspect the booths, he said. One mobile party will cover around 10-12 polling stations.
All the check posts bordering Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will be under CCTV surveillance.
As per the direction of the Election Commission of India (ECI), police have set up 210 flying squads, and 195 static surveillance teams.
After the completion of voting, the EVMs will be kept in 15 strong rooms which will be under round-the-clock security. Paramilitary forces will guard the inner circle and SAPs will be in charge of the outer circle of the EVM strong rooms, the DGP informed.
Out of nine districts which will go to poll on Monday, six are affected by left wing extremism (LWE).
Special security arrangements have been made for the safety of polling officials. Seven polling parties have been sent through special helicopters to Maoist-hit Sunabeda areas.
The ECI has provided a helicopter for Maoist-affected areas in the state. The Election Commission has also provided an air ambulance for the polling parties, the DGP said.
It may be noted that a total of 37 candidates are in the fray for the Lok Sabha elections in Koraput, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur and Berhampur in the first phase on Monday.
Similarly, there are 243 candidates contesting from 28 assembly seats under these 4 Lok Sabha constituencies. Over 62.87 lakh voters are set to cast their votes in the first phase elections in the state, officials said.
