Algapur by election: 140702 voters to vote under tight security

SILCHAR, Feb 23: All preparations by the district administration of Hailakandi have been made to hold Algapur assembly by election on Sunday. 140702 voters, 74407 male and 65295 female, will exercise their franchise under foolproof and elaborate security for which 14 companies of central paramilitary forces along with that of Assam police will be deployed. 800 poll workers will take care of the 170 booths.
Interestingly, 125 of these polling booths are in the Tapang block of Cachar. 75 polling centres have been identified as super sensitive while 41 as sensitive besides, 23 polling booths which saw 75% turn out of voters in the last assembly elections of 2011 have been listed as 'critical'. Depending upon the sensitivity of the booths, security arrangements have accordingly been drawn up.
D J Balaji, IAS, deputy commissioner and also the returning officer of Hailakandi, said he was confident of conducting the by election in a peaceful manner. The successful conduct of last panchayat polls has earned him appreciation both from the civil and political circles. He has dispelled the apprehensions being expressed by opposition parties of troubles during the election. He rather sought the cooperation of all the political parties in the whole exercise. His message to voters is to cast their votes without any sense of fear.
Brajendrajit Singh, S.P, said in order to ensure trouble–free by election, non bailable warrants have been issued against known anti–social elements and mischief mongers. Further, 104 licensed guns had been seized. Hailakandi by poll will be conducted on the basis of photo identity of the voters on the electoral rolls, the first of its kind in the state of Assam. This will help to check fraud and deception. Only genuine voters will be allowed to exercise their franchise after check and recheck.
To keep a tab and monitor the polling in all the 170 booths, 90 micro observers will be on round the corner duty. 25 photographers will also be detailed for recording the proceedings including any act of disorder or violence at any booth. Electronic Voting Machines will be well guarded to prevent any attempt at rigging or any other sort of tampering. D J Balaji also assured the opposition leaders and voters in general that by election would be free and fair. He revealed that for violating the code of conduct, the superintendent and the assistant superintendent of excise have been transferred and divested of any poll duty. (Source:SentinelAssam)