SEC Reviews Security Arrangements For Upcoming Punjab Municipal Elections With Police

A review meeting was held on December 5, 2024 by Raj Kamal Chaudhuri, State Election Commissioner, Punjab to review the security arrangements for the upcoming Municipal Elections. The meeting was attended by Secretary, Home Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Special DGP, Punjab, Arpit Shukla and Jagjit Singh, Secretary, State Election Commission.

Disclosing this, State Election Commissioner Raj Kamal Chaudhuri said that Municipal elections would be held for 5 Municipal Corporations, 44 Municipal Councils/Nagar Panchayats, and Bye-elections for 43 wards of Municipal Councils, as well as for 6 Wards in other Municipal Corporations. There are total 1609 polling locations and 3717 polling booths; out of these, 344 are declared as hypersensitive and 665 as sensitive polling locations.

He further informed that adequate police force would be deployed in all the polling locations and booths as per the security norms. In all, about 20,486 Police personnel of Punjab Police and Home Guard Jawans would be deployed for these elections. 500 patrolling parties and 283 Striking Reserves (DGP Punjab, Range & District Headquarter, Sub-division GO and Police Station) would be deployed to secure the area, round the clock and for taking prompt action in case of any emergency. All Sub-Division GOs would supervise their area of jurisdiction to ensure smooth conduct of these elections and to avoid any untoward incident, he added.

In addition to above, there would be 74 Second Line of Defence Nakas, 87 Interstate Nakas and 257 Inter District/Intra District Nakas all over the stateround the clock, to check the movement of illicit liquor, cash, drugs and anti-social elements.

He further highlighted that Arpit Shukla, IPS, Special Director General of Police, Law & Order, Punjab has been appointed to supervise all the security and law & Order related arrangements for these elections. State Election Commissioner desired that the Commissioners of Police and Senior Superintendents of Police be detailed to ensure maintenance of law and order and take steps to keep tabs on and catch hold of notorious persons, trouble-makers, boot-leggers, bail/parole jumpers, proclaimed offenders and absconders, etc. on day to day basis.

Furthermore, he said that Fool proof security arrangements in all storage/counting centers in the state of Punjab would be made to secure in and around premises of building, where counting of votes will be done. It was decided to ensure strict vigil and carry out checking of vehicles during the 3 days before the date of poll to check the entry of undesirable elements, and to prevent the smuggling or distribution of liquor or drugs.

Raj Kamal Chaudhuri added that District Magistrates to take steps and initiate all preventive measures including issue of prohibitory orders to ensure that voters are not intimidated or obstructed from exercising their right to vote.