Flying squads to keep eagle eye on use of illicit means

Manav Mander

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 16

Flying squads have been constituted for the forthcoming Vidhan Sabha elections. These squads will keep an eagle eye on the use of illicit means during elections.

Any political party trying to influence voters with money, power and drugs will be under the scanner of the flying squads.

“Every time, flying squads are constituted during elections. But this year, the special feature of these flying squads is that some of the teams of the flying squads will be equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS). This year, the Election Commission of India is making every possible effort to ensure that no influence is casted upon the voters,” said Ravi Bhagat, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer.

“Earlier, it was seen that flying squads were unable to reach the desired place on time and could not take desired action and sometimes were unable to locate the place. To completely finish this problem, the ECI has provided GPS facility to some vehicles so that they do not face the problem in locating any place,” said Bhagat.

One vehicle with GPS facility is being allotted to each constituency. These vehicles will be on duty 24x7. Three flying squads are being stationed in each constituency and one squad is equipped with GPS facility.

The control of vehicles with the Global Positioning System facility will be with the main election office, Punjab, District Election Office and Returning Officer.

“We are hopeful that illegal activities carried during the elections will be curtailed with the help of this facility,” said Bhagat.