Dibrugarh district administration gears up to conduct peaceful polls

STAFF CORRESPONDENT

DIBRUGARH: The Dibrugarh district administration has geared up its entire machinery for free and peaceful conduct of the forthcoming Assembly polls, 2021 in its 7 constituencies-115 Moran, 116 Dibrugarh, 117 Lahowal, 118 Duliajan, 119 Tingkhong, 120 Naharkatia and 121 Chabua LACs in Dibrugarh district -since announcement of poll schedule of the State by Chief Election Commissioner of India (ECI).

According to the Deputy Commissioner, who is also District Election Officer, Pallav Gopal Jha, altogether 1,514 polling stations are being set up in the seven LACs in the district. The district administration informed the media persons at the DC's conference room that at least 228 polling stations are being set up as an auxiliary polling station keeping COVID protocol in mind. The Superintendent of Police, Prateek Thube, while briefing the media persons, said that five polling stations were declared as very sensitive and seven polling stations were considered as sensitive. Meanwhile, all measures have been initiated to follow the parameters as set by the ECI for peaceful conduct of poll. He said that the police administration had taken steps for collection of 866 licensed arms from their possessors. He also appealed to all licensed arms holders to deposit their arms to the respective police stations immediately to avoid unavoidable harassment.

About 10, 38,684 voters will decide the fate of the candidates contesting in the ensuing poll, slated to be held in 7 LACs in the district on March 27. Out of total voters, 1,816 voters are service voters. The voters breakup in these 7 LACs are Moran- 1,39,055, Dibrugarh- 1,44,556, Lahowal – 1,52,562, Duliajan- 1,59,958 Tingkhong- 1,44,588, and Chabua – 1,59,383.

Arrangements will be made for PwDs (persons with disabilities), 80 years and above voters and COVID-19 patients under quarantine for exercising their franchise through postal ballots. However, PwD voters who want to cast their votes in physical presence instead of postal ballots, Jha said, the district administration would provide them with a wheelchair to cast their votes in the polling booth. The district administration has not left any stone unturned in order to conduct the entire poll process in a free, fair and peaceful manner and of course, under the ambit of ECI guidelines, Jha said. He called upon all the political parties to abide by the norms of ECI during campaign and to take necessary permission of authorities concerned for holding public meetings and use of loudspeakers.

He also disclosed that the police authority would keep a close eye on social media, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter handle and other forms of electronic platform and take appropriate legal action if any of the medium indulges in fake news, hate speech or posts any comment which might enhance communal tension or pose a threat to law and order.

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