BHUBANESWAR: Amid reports of pre-poll violence in Bargarh district, the Election Commission has directed the district administration for elaborate security arrangements to ensure smooth polling in Bijepur on Saturday.“I have personally advised DGP to increase the number of mobile police patrolling teams to keep a vigil on the constituency till completion of the poll. If necessary, police personnel from adjoining areas will be deployed there to avoid any untoward situations,” said chief electoral officer Surendra Kumar The district administration has also been instructed to look into the allegations of bribing the voters and flow of alcohol into Bijepur by forming special surveillance teams.Kumar said since part of the polling area shares border with Chhattisgarh, the police have been asked to set up check gates to strictly monitor the entry and exit of people to Bijepur. Adequate security will also be given to candidates contesting the bypoll.Over 2.21 lakh voters would exercise their franchise in the bypoll which would start at 8am and continue till 5pm. There are 281 polling booths of which 155 have been identified as ‘critical booths’ where additional security personnel will be deployed. For the first time in Odisha , the voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines will be used in Bijepur byelection.“The polling parties have already reached at their assigned booths with EVMs, VVPAT and other required materials. Total 12 surveillance teams including six flying squads, three each static and video surveillance teams have been formed for smooth conduct of polls,” said Bargarh collector Yamini Sarangi Over 20 magistrate level officers, micro observers and mobile party would also be pressed into action during poll. In the critical booths, polling will be conducted under CCTV surveillance while there will be webcasting in some booths, said an official source.Security has also been beefed up in the poll bound Bijepur to ensure free and fair elections. Besides, five platoons of central armed police force including CRPF and BSF, as many as 36 platoons of state police would be deployed across Bijepur.Bargarh SP Jai Narayan Pankaj said a total of 30 inspectors, 150 sub-inspectors and 40 mobile police teams have also been deployed in the polling booths.Steps have also been taken for safe custody of the EVMs in strong rooms after conclusion of election. After polling, the EVMs are likely to be kept at Padampur.Meanwhile, the state government declared holiday for its employees in offices located within Bijepur constituency to enable them to exercise their franchise. The state labour department has also asked all industrial and commercial units in Bargarh district to allow their employees from Bijepur to take leave for exercising their democratic right.

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