Assam assembly election: Cachar district administration gears up to conduct peaceful polls

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: The battle line for 2021 assembly elections has been drawn up in Cachar with district administration gearing up with all preparedness for the challenge and the code of conduct of ECI becoming effective from last Friday. With that the political parties in fray lying low after rounds of brisk campaign are now cracking their heads to finalise the list of candidates to contest for the 7 seats of Cachar. The prospective candidates have to file their nominations by March 12 which will be scrutinised on March 15 and the last date for withdrawal is March 17.

There has been rise in the number of voters pegged at 12,57,459 who will vote at 1834 polling stations compared to 1461 in 2016. The increase in polling booths has been attributed to mandatory adherence to COVID-19 guidelines. Of these polling booths, 32 are sensitive as well as hyper sensitive, calling for extended vigilance. 23 cells have been created to conduct polling in a free and fair manner. For physically challenged, sick and 80 plus voters, persons engaged in essential services as well as COVID patients, postal ballot will be made available for the first time.

In case of any difficulty, the district administration can be contacted on 24x7 helpline number 1950 and also on 18003453516. As per ECI directive during the entire process of elections, pre and post period, COVID protocol and model code of conduct have to be strictly followed by political parties and their supporters. Significantly, 52 grounds have been identified for public meetings in the district. All these details were shared by Keerthi Jalli, Deputy Commissioner, with Sumit Sattawan ADC and J R Lalsim ACS District Development Commissioner by her side. Amidst all these preparations by the district administration, political parties are yet to galvanise themselves for the decisive battle of 2021.

In accordance with the guidelines of the Election Commission of India, a meeting of the Media Monitoring and Media Certification Committee was held today presided over by Keerthi Jalli, Deputy Commissiner of Cachar today. The Committee would keep a close watch on media, print and electronic, as well as social media to check the creeping in of paid news within the parameters of the ECI.. Significantly, Cachar is free of this vice unlike some other parts of the country.

Also Read: Assam Assembly Election 2021 Update: Senior Assam Congress Leader Anil Raja Quits, Blames Ripun Bora

Also Watch: All Assam Gorkha Students' Union AAGSU stages protest at Digboi