Sambalpur: Chief Electoral Officer, Odisha, Nikunja Bihari Dhal has sought additional companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the State for the upcoming simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and Odisha Legislative Assembly in the State.
Speaking to media persons here, CEO Shri Dhal informed that he has requested the Centre allot more CAPFs to Odisha for their deployment in different parts of the state for smooth conduct of polls.
Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Northern Division Srikanta Prusty and other senior officers were present.
So far, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has deployed 75 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the State for the upcoming elections.
CEO Shri Dhal reviewed the election preparedness made for four MP constituencies and 28 Assembly segments here along with senior officers including Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) Northern Division Srikanta Prusty, IGP Northern Range Himanshu Lal and DIG Rourkela Niti Shekhar, and IGP North Central Range, Satya Brata Bhoi. District Magistrates of Sambalpur, Bargarh and others were present.
He discussed law and order, heat wave management, poll preparedness, vulnerability mapping, arrangements in critical booths, poll day management and strong rooms preparedness made in Bargarh, Sundergarh, Sambalpur and Dhenkanal Lok Sabha constituencies as per ECI guidelines.
At present, one company of BSF has been deployed in Rourkela while one company of CRPF is there in Sambalpur. Once the Centre allots more companies of force, additional CAPF personnel will be deployed, CEO Shri Dhal said.
As the election in the four MP segments will be held in May, the temperature will be high and there are also possibilities of thunderstorms during that time. So, all arrangements have been made accordingly, Dhal told reporters.
Proper drinking water, shed, transportation facilities for senior citizens and PwD voters, etc have been made. The district administrations and police administration are fully prepared for smooth conduct of the elections, he said.
“Law and order situation is much better than 2014. So, we are hopeful that we can conduct the polls peacefully and freely & fairly,” he added.
