The Karnataka police is gearing up to ensure a free and fair elections in two phases next month in the state. Polling in 28 parliamentary constituencies across the state will be held on April 23 and 30. Voting will take place in 17 seats in the first phase and 11 seats in the second phase.
According to Ajay Kumar Singh, director-general of police, about 60,000 police personnel will be deployed across the state to maintain law and order, ensure smooth conduct of polling, prevent distribution of liquor or cash to induce voters and prevent misuse of official machinery, especially vehicles.
In addition, about 50 companies of paramilitary forces will assist the state police on both the polling dates. Adequate forces will be deployed in each constituency, especially at polling booths, which number 29,039 for the first phase and 18,426 in the second phase. Mobile squads will patrol the areas going to polls.
“We are in the process of categorising the polling stations into normal, sensitive and hyper sensitive. Deployment or reinforcement will be proportionate to the requirement and sensitivity of the area,” Singh told reporters.
Since the poll notification March 2, the police have registered 1,974 cases and arrested 3,597 people under the Excise Act for attempting to distribute liquor in several areas across the state.
The quantity of liquor seized is valued at Rs 65 lakh till March 25.
“Similarly, two cases have been registered till date for distributing cash equivalent to Rs 1.36 crore. Drive against distribution of liquor or money will be intensified to curb the menace in the run-up to the D-day,” Singh noted.
The police have set up a toll free facility (1800-4250-100) at the state control room for gathering or disseminating information pertaining to general elections.
