GUWAHATI: Altogether 80 ACS officers will go to different rural and remote parts of Assam and camp there to ensure free and fair conduct of the next month’s panchayat polls in the State.
These officers being appointed as election observers by the State Election Commission, Assam will strictly monitor activities of the political parties and their leaders and candidates to prevent possible use of money and muscle power in the ensuing elections. The election observers have been empowered to take stringent actions against anyone violating the Model Code of Conduct for panchayat polls.
The State Election Commission, Assam on Thursday conducted training among 80 ACS officers to sensitize and make them understand various rules of election and electioneering so that they could catch those violating the Model Code of Conduct. The election observers will start camping at their designated poll bound areas after Sunday.
State Election Commissioner HN Bora told The Sentinel on Thursday that the commission is ready with all resources and logistics to conduct the panchayat polls in a free and fair manner. Friday (November 23) will be the last day of withdrawing nominations for the second phase of polls scheduled to be held on December 9.
“After Friday we will be in a position to figure out the exact number of candidates in the fray. But since panchayat polls is a huge exercise complete compilation of data about candidates will take a few days,” Bora said.
Regarding security arrangements Bora said the Assam Police has assured the State Election Commission to arrange adequate security during the polls.
Meanwhile, Dispur has started looking deserted with ministers are on their ways to different villages across the State to launch elections campaigns. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal is also expected to participate in a few election rallies in the coming days.
Out of 23,505 polling stations 3,665 have been considered as very sensitive, 8243 sensitive and 11,597 comparatively safe.
The people of the State will exercise their franchise to elect 420 Zila Parishad members, 2,199 Anchalik Panchayat members, 2,199 Gaon Panchayat presidents and 21,990 Gaon Panchayat members.
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