7,000 cops deployed to ensure free, fair polls in Faridabad, Palwal dists

To ensure smooth and fair polling across the nine Assembly segments of Faridabad and Palwal districts, the election authorities have deployed over 15,000 personnel. This includes 7,000 police officers and 11 companies of paramilitary forces to secure the 2,367 polling booths ahead of Saturday’s elections.

Senior officials from the administration have confirmed that all preparations are complete. Polling parties equipped with essential machinery have been dispatched to their respective stations. The polling process is scheduled to begin at 7 am on Saturday. “The administration is fully geared to handle any exigency,” a senior official said.

In Faridabad district, 4,500 police officials have been deployed across 1,650 booths in six segments — Faridabad, NIT, Badkhal, Ballabhgarh, Tigaon, and Prithla. Meanwhile, 2,500 officials have been stationed to oversee polling in the three segments of Palwal district — Palwal, Hodal, and Hathin. The paramilitary forces will closely monitor all polling booths in these areas.

Palwal district will have 717 polling stations catering to approximately 7.05 lakh voters. Of these booths, 189 have been classified as vulnerable and critical. In Faridabad, with a voter base of 17.95 lakh across six segments, 45 booths have been marked as sensitive or vulnerable, with 10 deemed critical due to potential disturbances. To enhance security, additional police forces have been provided, and video recording and webcasting will be implemented at all booths in both districts. Furthermore, over 7,500 licensed weapons have been surrendered to the police in compliance with election security protocols.

As a precautionary measure, the administration has banned the use of drones and invoked Section 163 of the penal code until midnight on October 6.

Faridabad police have reported seizing over Rs 3 crore in cash, registering 291 cases of liquor and drug smuggling, and booking 47 cases under the Arms Act in the past month. Additionally, 52 country-made revolvers have been confiscated. In Palwal, police have seized liquor and drugs valued at over Rs 10 lakh and arrested 143 individuals over the past 30 days. Several illicit weapons have also been recovered, according to SP Chander Shekhar.

Dr Harish Kumar Vashisht, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Election Officer for Palwal, assured that all necessary arrangements have been made to ensure a peaceful and smooth polling process.