Punjab fully prepared for Municipal elections

* 19616 police personnel deployed for security : ADGP Reddy

Chandigarh, “The State Election Commission is fully prepared for the Municipal elections in the state as the election arrangement have been completed” it was disclosed by Mr. S.S. Brar State Election Commissioner in a Press Conference here today. The Press Conference was jointly addressed by Mr. S.S. Brar and Mr. C.S.R. Reddy, ADGP (I.T. & T. cum Elections).

Mr. Brar said that for the smooth and impartial conduct of election 66 Election Observers have been deputed. He said that Rs. 5.50 crore is estimated expenditure for the elections. He said that for the election of 300 wards of 6 Municipal Corporations (Moga, Bathinda, Mohali, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot and Phagwara) and by-elections of 3 wards of 2 Municipal Corporations Patiala and Jalandhar elections would be conducted on February 22 and the canvassing would come to end on evening February 20. He said that for the corporation elections total 1268 candidates are in fray whereas 4 candidates have been elected unopposed. Counting of votes would be held on February 26 at 10 a.m.

Mr. Brar further said that for the elections of 122 Municipal Councils/ Nagar Pachayat and by-election of one ward of Nagar Pachayat Bariwala polling would be conducted on February 25 and the canvassing would be ended on the evening of February 23. He said that for these elections 7006 candidates are in the fray and 160 candidates have been elected unopposed.

Addressing the media Mr. C.S.R. Reddy, ADGP said that 309 polling station have been set up for the Municipal Corporation elections out of these 43 polling stations have been marked as hyper sensitive whereas 163 are sensitive. Similarly for the election of Municipal Councils/ Nagar Pachayats total 1486 polling stations have been set up and 163 are hyper sensitive and 940 have been marked as sensitive. Mr. Reddy further said that around 19616 police personnel have been deployed on election duty out of this number 3927 during Municipal Corporation election and 15689 would be deployed during Municipal Councils/ Nagar Pachayat. “For each district Nodal Officers are being deputed for ensuring security” he added.