Polling parties dispatched, security hiked ahead of voting in Karnal

With Karnal, Nilokheri, Indri civic body polls and Assandh chairperson by-election set to be held on March 2, polling parties have been dispatched to their respective booths along with electronic voting machines (EVMs) and other election material.

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The district administration has completed all necessary preparations to ensure smooth, free and fair elections. Security arrangements have been tightened, with additional police personnel deployed at sensitive and highly sensitive polling stations.

The authorities have exhorted polling officials to perform their duties with utmost dedication and impartiality, ensuring a transparent voting process.

The voting for posts of Mayor and 18 councillors in Karnal Municipal Corporation (MC), chairperson by-election in Assandh, chairperson and election of 14 councillors in Indri, chairperson and 15 councillors in Nilokheri and one post of councillor in Taraori will be held from 8 am to 6 pm on Sunday.

District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh and Superintendent of Police Ganga Ram Punia reviewed dispatching of EVMs. “All necessary preparations have been made to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections. Polling parties carrying EVMs and other election material have been dispatched to their designated polling stations. Polling parties have been instructed to carry out their duties with dedication,” said Uttam Singh. He emphasised that there should be no bias towards any candidate. He said polling officers must ensure that no posters, banners or political slogans were displayed on the premises of voting centres.

Besides, presiding officers were directed to prohibit the use of mobile phones within 100 metres of the polling station, except for observers and micro-observers. To maintain voting confidentiality, only one assistant would be allowed to accompany visually impaired or physically challenged voters inside polling stations. Mock polling would be held before the start of official voting process to ensure transparency.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kuldeep Singh inspected the strong room at a college building while reviewing security arrangements.

SP Punia assured polling parties that security measures were in place to maintain law and order. Adequate police personnel would be deployed at all polling stations, including magistrates and sector supervisors, he said.

Uttam Singh urged all voters to participate actively in elections and exercise their democratic rights peacefully.