Punjab Police fully prepared to ensure free, fair and peaceful Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti Elections: DGP
PTC Web Desk: With Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections scheduled for December 14 (Sunday), Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav has said that the state police is fully prepared to ensure transparent, impartial and peaceful polling across Punjab.
The elections will be held on December 14, while counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 17. Emphasising the need to maintain a positive environment ahead of the polls, DGP Yadav directed all police officials to strictly follow professional policing standards and adhere to the Model Code of Conduct.
Sharing further details, Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla, who chaired a virtual meeting with all Commissioners of Police (CPs), Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) and Range DIGs, said security arrangements have been strengthened across the state. Field officers have been instructed to mobilise at least 75% of the district police force for election duty.
He said all CPs and SSPs have been instructed to keep a close watch on anti-social elements, conduct flag marches in their jurisdictions to instill public confidence and set up strong inter-state and inter-district checkpoints. Neighbouring states' police chiefs have also been requested to establish checkpoints on their respective sides of the border.
According to officials, 18,718 polling booths have been set up at 13,395 polling stations, of which 860 have been classified as highly sensitive and 3,405 as sensitive. The Special DGP said over 44,000 police personnel will be deployed under the supervision of gazetted officers to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections. Additionally, CPs and SSPs have been directed to maintain continuous and active patrolling, especially in sensitive areas, to prevent any untoward incident.
- With inputs from agencies
