The Hindu : Security tightened in Mysore for bypoll

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 31, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Karnataka

Security tightened in Mysore for bypoll

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE May 30. Security has been tightened for the byelection to the Assembly from the Narasimharaja Constituency to be held on Friday.

The Police Commissioner, C. Chandrashekar, told The Hindu on Thursday that action would be taken against those who created trouble during voting. Elaborate security arrangements had been made to ensure free and fair polling.

A total of 1.97 lakh people are expected to exercise their franchise in 251 polling booths from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. As many as 177 booths have been identified as "hyper-sensitive" and 74 as "sensitive".

The district administration had urged the Election Commission to make adequate security arrangements as the entire constituency was "hyper-sensitive".

Besides, the contest between the Congress and the Janata Parivar led to apprehensions about possible outbreak of violence during voting.

Mr. Chandrashekar said 2,500 police personnel would be deployed in the constituency. Each "hyper-sensitive" booth would be manned by a head constable and two constables. Similarly, a head constable and a constable would look after a "sensitive" booth. An armed policeman would be posted in each booth, he added.

In addition, 35 mobile police teams would be deployed. Twenty-one KSRP and 10 CAR platoons had been deputed for election duty.

With the constituency coming under the limits of Mandi Mohalla, N.R. Mohalla, Udayagiri, Nazarbad, and Lakshkar Mohalla police stations, an officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police and three officers of the rank of inspector would monitor the security arrangements.

The process of voting will be through electronic voting machines (EVMs). Officials deputed for election duty reported for work at the Maharani's College on Jhansi Lakshmi Bai Road this morning and collected the EVMs and other polling material. A total of 500 EVMs have been made available for the byelection.

The district administration has ordered closure of liquor shops, besides banning "jatras" and fairs till the election process concludes.

Voters in the constituency have to compulsorily produce photo identity cards at the time of voting.

In the absence of photo identity cards, the voters should produce documents such as passport, driving licence, PAN card, identity cards issued by their employers, property documents, student ID card, arms licence, pension book issued by the government, train or bus passes, freedom fighters' pass, residence proof, ration card issued prior to April 1, 2002, post office passbook, and identity card issued by the slum board.

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