Guwahati, Mar 16 (PTI) Improved infrastructure and better security arrangements are key factors behind the decision to hold the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam in a single phase, top officials said on Monday, a day after the Election Commission announced polling in the state for April 9.
They said the state’s civil and police administrations are fully prepared to ensure smooth conduct of the elections in all 126 Assembly constituencies.
Addressing a press conference here, state chief electoral officer (CEO) Anurag Goel said, “Improved infrastructure, availability of more buildings, bridges, etc., has led to the confidence of holding the elections in the state in a single phase.” IGP (Law and Order) Akhilesh Kumar Singh, the nodal security officer for the polls, added, “Single-phase polling requires a lot of preparations and logistics, and maybe we are fully equipped now compared to earlier. Civil and police administrations are completely ready for holding the polls.” Improvement in the law and order situation, especially the withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act from most parts of the state, has also contributed to it, Singh added.
He said the state has sought 828 companies of central armed police force (CAPF), of which 200 companies have already arrived.
Besides, over 74,000 Assam Police personnel of various ranks, including home guards, will also be engaged, the IGP added.
Inter-state and inter-district border monitoring have been ramped up, along with CCTV coverage at most vital points, Singh said.
A total of 134 border checkpoints are being put in place, with flying squads and static teams to be also positioned in these for round-the-clock surveillance.
As far as international boundaries are concerned, Singh said these are guarded by different security agencies, and sealing of borders and other requisite election guidelines will be followed as per laid down norms.
“Active area domination and confidence-building measures are being undertaken by the security agencies to ensure that no intimidation of voters takes place and no EC guidelines are violated,” he added.
The IGP said efforts are also being made to curb the flow of illicit items, including illegal liquor, during the election period.
A special social media cell has been formed by the CID, with a dedicated phone number opened to receive complaints about circulation of fake news and AI-generated content that could disrupt peace.
CEO Goel said the notification for the polls has been issued after approval from the governor, with the election process formally commencing.
The total number of electors in the state as on March 15 was 2,50,21,413, which could be revised till the last date of filing of nominations.
Since the publication of the final electoral rolls on February 10 following the special revision, there have been over 1.64 lakh additions and more than one lakh deletions, resulting in a net increase of about 64,000 voters, the CEO said.
The highest number of voters are in the 20–29 age group, numbering more than 66 lakh. The state has 2,482 centenarian voters and around one lakh electors above the age of 85 years.
The number of young voters aged 18-19 years is more than 6 lakh.
There will be 31,486 polling stations as of now, with the CEO’s office requesting four more auxiliary stations, Goel said.
Dalgaon constituency has the highest number of voters with more than 3 lakh electors, while Amri has the least with a little more than one lakh voters.
Over 1.50 lakh civil polling personnel will be engaged in the process, besides micro-observers and sector officers.
“For the first time, the EVM ballot papers will be in colour, and there will be 100 per cent webcasting and mobile phone deposit facility in all polling stations,” the CEO added.
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