Chhattisgarh: ECI focuses on law and order, security in sensitive booths

| Updated: 16 November, 2023 1:50 pm IST

KOLKATA: As the second phase of assembly elections in Chhattisgarh approaches on November 17, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is placing special emphasis on law and order and security arrangements in the poll-bound districts.

Special observers, appointed by the ECI, along with Chief Electoral Officer Reena Babasaheb Kangale, visited the assembly constituencies in Raigarh and Mahasamund districts to assess election-related preparations.

In meetings held at the district headquarters of Raigarh and Mahasamund, Special General Observer Dharmendra S. Gangwar, Special Police Observer Anil Kumar Sharma, Special Expenditure Observer Rajesh Tuteja, and Chief Electoral Officer Reena Babasaheb Kangale discussed the ongoing preparations and reviewed the situation. The poll body also inspected polling stations, ensuring readiness for convenient voting on election day.

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Special attention was given to the law-and-order situation during the meeting. General Observers, Police Observers, and Expenditure Observers appointed by the ECI, along with Collectors, District Election Officers, Superintendents of Police, and Nodal Officers of the SVEEP programme, were present.

Special Observers Gangwar, Tuteja, and Sharma directed officials to ensure basic facilities at all polling stations in Raigarh and Mahasamund districts. Additionally, they emphasised the need for comprehensive security arrangements in sensitive polling stations.

Chief Electoral Officer Reena Babasaheb Kangale urged voters to cast their votes freely and impartially, emphasising the goal of voting without temptation or fear.

In Chhattisgarh, polling in all 70 constituencies will take place from 8 am to 5 pm, with nine polling booths in the Naxal belt operating on a separate schedule from 7 am to 3 pm.