Tight security for Thiruvambadi bypoll

Kozhikode, Dec 3 (UNI) Unprecedented security measures taken have been made for the smooth conduct of bypoll in Thiruvambadi assembly constituency in Kerala tomorrow.

Although no polling booth in the constituency was identified as sensitive, tight security arrangements have been made to avoid any attempt of malpractices in the bypoll, Election Commission sources said.

Five companies of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and personnel of the Malabar Special Police and Kerala Armed Police were deployed in the 153 polling booths spread across the constituency, they said.

Every booth would be manned by four personnel and digital cameras were installed in each voting centres to record voting process, an officer overseeing security arrangements said.

Returning Officer Sravan Kumar Verma said stationeries, including ballot papers were issued to presiding officers incharge of polling booths.

The polling, which would start at 0900 hrs, would end at 1700 hrs. The counting would take place on December 7.

The main contest in the by-election, necessitated due to the death of CPI (M) member Mathai Chacko, would be between ruling Left Democratic Front candidate George M Thomas of the CPI (M) and Opposition United Democratic Front's V M Ummer of the Indian Union Muslim League.

BJP's Gireesh Thevally and three Independents were also in the fray.

The constituency has a total of 160,984 voters, including 82,035 women.

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