Strongrooms inspected ahead of panchayat samiti elections

Election Observer Amrit Singh on Saturday visited strongrooms at the Government Polytechnic College, Khoonimajra, to take stock of the arrangements for the secure storage of ballot boxes ahead of Majri and Kharar panchayat samiti elections.

She was accompanied by ADC (Rural Development)-cum-Additional District Election Officer Sonam Chaudhary and SDM-cum-Returning Officer, Kharar Panchayat Samiti, Divya P.

During the inspection, the Election Observer directed the local authorities to ensure fool-proof security arrangements for the strongrooms. She laid special emphasis on the installation of CCTV cameras with live coverage, the footage of which should be displayed on screens installed outside the strongrooms, besides adequate deployment of police personnel.

Amrit Singh said maintaining sanctity of the voters’ mandate was the administration’s responsibility.

Government Polytechnic College, Khoonimajra, will also serve as the counting centre for Majri and Kharar panchayat samiti elections, with counting scheduled to take place on December 17.

Earlier, the Election Observer also inspected the final training-cum-rehearsal of polling staff who were dispatched from the same venue to various polling booths of Majri and Kharar.

Addressing the polling parties, she urged them to discharge their duties with sincerity and alertness, to ensure that the polling process remained free, fair and impartial.

Polling for panchayat samiti elections in SAS Nagar district will be held tomorrow at a total of 306 booths for Kharar, Majri and Derabassi. Polling will commence at 8.00 am and continue till 4 pm. Of the total booths, 121 polling booths are in Derabassi, 110 in Majri and 75 in Kharar.

Police ramp up security

Police ramped up security across the district with patrolling, checkpoints and night domination ahead of the polls scheduled for tomorrow.

Mohali DSP City-2 Harsimran Singh Bal said, “Special checkpoints have been made at important locations to keep a check on anti-social elements.”

Adequate deployment of police personnel has been done to ensure fool-proof security arrangements for strongrooms. Police will remain present near the 306 polling booths for Kharar, Majri and Derabassi Panchayat Samities, he added.