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Cuttack: In a bid to ensure incident-free polls to Cuttack and Baripada civic bodies on February 6, the administration of both Cuttack and Mayurbhanj districts have made all sorts of checks and balances at polling booths.
The polling for Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) will begin at 8 am and continue till 5 pm. Around 3,94,810 voters will decide the fate of 350 candidates who are in fray for 59 wards of the civic body.
Sources said the administration has identified 253 of 422 polling booths as hyper sensitive.
Webcasting of the polling process will be done at 20 booths in the city, sources added.
"In case any EVM breaks down at any polling booth, we will try to restore it within one hour. Voters, who will be in queue, would be given a chit to allow them vote after 5 pm," said Laxmidhar Mohanty, CMC Election Officer.
Mohanty added, however, if any EVM does not work for more than 1 hour at any booth, the poll officials could consider extending the poll timings.
"40 mobile patrolling teams will be placed on duty for the CMC poll. For better management of security, we have divided the city into eight sectors and four zones," said S Praveen Kumar, DCP, Cuttack.
Similarly, for peaceful elections to the 28-ward Baripada Municipality the Mayurbhanj district administration has left no chances.
"For total 78 booths in the civic body, we have placed 328 polling personnel on duty. We have divided the civic body into six sectors which will be under supervision of six sector officers," said Radhakrushna Rout, Baripada, Election Officer.
Besides, six magistrates will be deployed to keep a watch on the polling process, Rout added.
Notably, around 65,809 voters will seal the fate 140 candidates in the EVMs during the Baripada ULB polls.
Sources said of total 78 booths 49 have been identified as sensitive. Under the direct supervision of Mayurbhanj SP, 6 DSPs and 10 mobile patrolling teams will monitor the sensitive booths.
"We are on high alert and fully prepared to face any kind of eventuality," said Bibhudendu Kumar Iche, Additional SP, Mayurbhanj.
