Strict security for Council polls today

Strict security for Council polls today

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Dec 27, 2015: The security arrangements are at a peak to ensure peaceful polling for the MLC - Legislative Council election for Udupi-Dakshina Kannada local bodies constituency to be held on Sunday in Udupi district. K. Annamalai, Superintendent of Police, told media  that three units of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and eight units of District Armed Reserve Police (DAR) have been pressed into service in sensitive areas.

 

In addition to these, as many as 200 Home Guards and 400 police personnel would be on vigil during the elections. As many as 17 checkposts have been set up at vital locations in the district. “Additional security has been provided for seven polling stations in the naxalite affected areas of the district,” he said.

There are a total of 2,714 voters in the district including those from gram panchayats, taluk panchayats, zilla panchayats and urban local bodies. Voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

There are a total of 166 polling stations in the district including 67 in Kundapur taluk, 63 in Udupi taluk and 36 in Karkala taluk. There are three mustering and de-mustering centres in the district. They are Court Hall, Taluk Office, Mini Vidhan Soudha in Kundapur; Court Hall and Officers Club, Taluk Office in Udupi; Taluk Office, Mini Vidhan Soudha in Karkala.

“The process of mustering, wherein ballot boxes are carried to the respective polling stations had taken place without hassles,” said R. Vishal, Deputy Commissioner.

The voters should have either the EPIC card or identity cards with photos provided by the local bodies. Eight candidates were in the fray for the election. The ninth column was for none of the above (NOTA). Mobile telephones and other electronic equipments were banned in polling stations. No political activities would be allowed in 200 metres radius of the polling stations.