Dhanbad: In a major logistical exercise ahead of the urban local body elections, district election officer-cum-DC Aditya Ranjan and SSP Prabhat Kumar flagged off polling parties from the Mega Sports Complex here on Sunday morning. The teams departed with the election material for 1,019 polling booths under the Dhanbad Municipal Corporation and the Chirkunda Municipal Council.Before the dispatch, DC Ranjan, SSP Kumar, deputy development commissioner Sunny Raj, sub-divisional magistrate Lokesh Barange, and deputy election officer Mukesh Kumar Bauri toured every enclosure at the dispatch centre and interacted with the polling officials, boosting their morale.Separate vehicle bays were arranged for the two civic bodies to ensure orderly movement. At the main gate, transport officials guided polling personnel to their designated vehicles. All vehicles underwent thorough inspection under a two-layer security system before departure.To facilitate the swift movement, 23 green corridors were created, allowing vehicles to reach their respective polling stations without delay. Traffic at major intersections across the district was temporarily halted to give priority passage to election convoys, which were escorted by police teams throughout the journey.After the departure of polling parties, the DC said all teams left smoothly for their assigned booths. He directed sector magistrates and returning officers to ensure that all essential facilities were available at the polling stations. Continuous monitoring was carried out from the election control room, he added.The polling personnel were instructed to verify all election material upon arrival at their booths and immediately report any shortage to the sector magistrate or returning officer concerned for prompt resolution.The DC further said officials would conduct visits to sensitive and highly sensitive polling areas later in the evening. He warned that any attempt to disrupt the electoral process would invite immediate registration of an FIR and strict legal action.Meanwhile, SSP Kumar affirmed that the administration and police made comprehensive arrangements to ensure free, fair, and peaceful polling. He appealed to voters to cast their votes without fear and assured them of full security.Issuing a stern warning to anti-social elements, the SSP said anyone attempting to intimidate the voters, create disturbances, or influence voting in favour of any candidate would face stringent action. “Such elements will not be spared under any circumstances,” he said, emphasising zero tolerance towards electoral misconduct.
