CCTV cameras at booths sought

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 13

Thousands of government employees from different departments will be on poll duty in the upcoming panchayat elections. To avoid any untoward incident, a group of teachers said the administration must ensure tight security with CCTV cameras at polling stations.

“It has been seen that tension between groups in villages remains high, especially during the panchayat elections. We want proper arrangements for the security of the polling staff. If possible, the district administration must install CCTV cameras at all polling stations to avoid any untoward incident,” said a government teacher, who will be on poll duty.

Another teacher said the government should ensure insurance of the polling staff. “The polling must be monitored through cameras. A government teacher had also complained during the last Zila Parishad elections when some persons attempted booth capturing. If CCTV cameras are installed, all activities at polling stations will be recorded,” he said.

The polling staff have been called for rehearsals on December 16 and December 23 while the polling material would be handed over to them on December 29.

An official informed that 1,542 polling stations would be set up for panchayat elections. A polling party, comprising a presiding officer and some polling officers, will be deputed at each booth.

AAP spokesperson Darshan Singh Shankar said villagers should not divide into groups.

“People should elect their panchayat unanimously for the development of villages. Moreover, proper security arrangements should be made for polling. Those who do not have not to cast vote should not be allowed to enter the polling stations,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agrawal could not be contacted for comments.