Nizamabad Ready For Second Phase Gram Panchayat Polls
Foolproof arrangements had been made for polling and counting, including distribution of election material, webcasting, police bandobast, enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct and monitoring by surveillance teams: District election officer and collector T. Vinay Krishna Reddy
NIZAMABAD: All arrangements have been completed for the second phase of gram panchayat elections in Nizamabad district, scheduled for December 14, with the administration and police putting in place extensive measures to ensure free, fair and peaceful polling.
District election officer and collector T. Vinay Krishna Reddy said foolproof arrangements had been made for polling and counting, including distribution of election material, webcasting, police bandobast, enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct and monitoring by surveillance teams. He, along with general election observer Shyamprasad Lal, inspected polling material distribution centres across mandals in the Nizamabad and Armoor divisions and reviewed facilities for polling staff.
The collector said 56 micro-observers and 34 zonal officers have been appointed to ensure transparency. Webcasting will be conducted at 61 polling stations, while stringent security has been arranged at sensitive booths. Surveillance teams are maintaining strict vigil during the 44-hour silence period.
In the second phase, elections are being held for 158 of the 196 sarpanch posts, with 38 already elected unanimously. A total of 568 candidates are contesting. Of the 1,760 ward posts, 674 were elected unanimously, five received no nominations, and polls are being held for the remaining 1,081 posts with 2,634 candidates in the fray.
Meanwhile, the Nizamabad police Commissionerate has deployed 1,120 personnel across 162 gram panchayats in eight mandals, covering 1,114 wards and 2,40,715 voters. Commissioner of Police P. Sai Chaitanya said tight security arrangements, including 24/7 vehicle checks at two check posts and intensive surveillance in 59 sensitive areas, have been put in place.
Police seized 166.33 litres of liquor in four cases, bound over 308 persons as a preventive measure, registered one case for Model Code violations and ensured deposit of licensed firearms, barring one bank-held licence. Officials said all measures are aimed at ensuring peaceful polling across the division.