Three-tier security arrangement for Corpn repoll: SEC

Chennai, Feb 3 (UNI) Tamil Nadu State Election Commissioner (SEC) D Chandrasekharan today announced that a three-tier security arrangement would be put in place to ensure peaceful polling in the February 18 repoll and bypoll to the 100 wards of Chennai City Corporation.

Talking to reporters after a meeting with the Director General of Police, Chennai City Police Commissioner and the Corporation Commissioner, he said for the first time metal detectors would be installed, wherever necessary.

Besides the city police, additional strike forces would be deployed to prevent any untoward incident.

The election officers were strictly instructed not to allow polling agents to enter the booth without photo identity cards, he said adding that no vehicle movement would be allowed within 100M from the booth.

The SEC had also taken note of the suggestion given by Corporation Commissioner Rajesh Lakhani that entire polling process be videographed, he added.

A total of 2157 booths would be set up in the 100 wards of which 750 were identified as sensitive. ''The police department had been asked to take necessary steps to ensure free and fair polling'', he said.

Flag marches would be staged on the eve of elections in areas where sensitive booths were located to instill confidence in the minds of the people, especially in the wake of large scale violence reported during the October 13 polls to the 155 wards of the Chennai City Corporation.

While repoll would be held in 98 wards as per the Madras High Court order following complaints of rigging, booth capturing and large scale violence during the October 13 elections, bypoll would be held in the other two wards following the resignation of the Opposition AIADMK councillors.

A complaint cell would be set up in Police Commisioner's Office and it would be manned by two Assistant Commissioners to ensure that the complaints were attended to immediately.

UNI