T’puram: All arrangements for the assembly elections in the district were completed, said district collector Anu Kumari on Monday. Addressing a news conference, she said the district administration was fully prepared to conduct the elections in a free, fair and transparent manner.She urged voters to exercise their democratic right and help improve the voter turnout during the upcoming polls. According to district administration, a total of 3,173 polling booths were set up across the district, including 440 newly created booths. In addition, 124 model polling booths were also arranged. Special arrangements were also made to facilitate voting for senior citizens and bedridden voters. Authorities will introduce a home voting system for voters aged 85 years and above, as well as those who are bedridden.Officials said around 24,000 bedridden voters are currently listed in the electoral rolls of the district. As part of measures to ensure strict monitoring during the election period, five integrated border check posts were set up in the district. These check posts will be equipped with surveillance facilities. To enforce the election code of conduct, three flying squad teams were deployed in each assembly constituency in the district. The squads will be equipped with GPS-enabled vehicles and videographers to monitor campaign activities and detect violations. In addition, three static surveillance teams will also operate in every constituency to strengthen monitoring mechanisms. The district administration also decided to appoint additional expenditure observers in the constituencies to keep a close watch on the spending by candidates and political parties during the campaign period. The collector said the public can report violations of model code of conduct through cVIGIL mobile application, which allows users to submit complaints along with photographs or videos for quick action by authorities. Meanwhile, political parties and candidates can obtain permissions for election rallies, public meetings, use of loudspeakers and campaign vehicles through Suvidha portal. Candidates can submit their nomination papers until March 23. The collector also instructed bank officials to closely monitor financial transactions of candidates to ensure transparency in election expenditure. She further reminded political parties that names of printers and publishers must be clearly printed on all campaign banners and publicity materials, in accordance with election regulations.
