Punjab CS reviews panchayat election arrangements

Chandigarh, Apr 28 (UNI) Punjab Chief Secretary R I Singh has asked the deputy commissioners of the state to ensure smooth and fair forthcoming zila parishad and block samiti elections in Punjab.

Addressing a meeting of the deputy commissioners and senior officers of the government to review the law and order and other administrative aspects during the elections, Mr Singh said there should be no compromise on the law and order situation and asked the deputy commissioners to effectively enforce the directions and the guidelines of the government and the election commission.

He asked the deputy commissioners to identify sensitive polling booths all over the state so that necessary attention could be paid to such polling stations.

The Chief Secretary further said if required women staff would be deployed where there was a shortage of staff, however, they should not be placed on duty in the interior, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Punjab DGP N P S Aulakh said there were 3,700 identified sensitive polling booths in the state. As many as 30,000 police personnel had been deployed to ensure fair elections in the state.

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