Kochi: The police has deployed more than 2,500 personnel at 733 polling centres in Kochi as part of elaborate security arrangements to ensure a smooth election process.
They include 37 special police personnel on group patrolling at 37 sectors and 46 patrolling teams, two for each police station limits.
There are 25 deputy superintendents and assistant commissioners, 40 inspectors, 200 sub-inspectors and 2,500 senior civil police officers, 205 home guards and 365 special police officers already put on duties at each division.
Besides, 200 armed police officers were deployed in vulnerable areas, including nine striking forces under the direct control of the inspector general, Kochi Range, and the state police chief.
According to city police commissioner S. Surendran, police forces deployed in the city are trained to meet any emergencies before, during and after the election process. Live webcasting facility will be set up at 21 booths identified as ‘vulnerable’ and will be continuously monitored.
An election control room has been launched at the city police commissioner’s office to coordinate security measures.
After the polling, the electronic voting machines (EVM) from the two constituencies - Ernakulam and Chalakudy - will be kept at two centres in the district - Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) and Government Polytechnic College, Kalamassery.
Central police forces will guard the strongrooms of these centres. The compound premises will be safeguarded by armed forces drawn from the state police and the nearby areas, and roads will be under the control of local police.
According to officials, the ‘Connect to Commissioner’ initiative is active on these days, and the public can directly contact the commissioner on 9497915555 for complaints and passing information.
