Poll 2012: 27 companies of paramilitary forces in Punjab soon - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Poll 2012: 27 companies of paramilitary forces in Punjab soon

Hindustan Times | By, Chandigarh
Dec 24, 2011 10:17 PM IST

After the surprise move of advancing the Punjab poll on January 30, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to deploy at least 27 companies of the paramilitary forces immediately replacing the state police from critical locations.

After the surprise move of advancing the Punjab poll on January 30, the Election Commission of India (ECI) is set to deploy at least 27 companies (near 2,700 personnel) of the paramilitary forces immediately replacing the state police from critical locations.

HT Image
HT Image

Soon after the ECI dropped what was dubbed in political circles a “bombshell”, Punjab chief electoral officer Kusumjit Sidhu asked the ECI to deploy 27 companies of the paramilitary forces in the state “as soon as possible.”

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

In Punjab the ECI is likely to deploy about 200 companies of the para-military forces as was the case in February 2007 polls.

“We have asked for paramilitary forces immediately. The expenditure monitoring of the candidates also begins now,” the CEO told reporters here.

The 27 companies of the paramilitary will assist the ECI in monitoring election expenditure of the political parties by surprise checks of the vehicles, etc. As the election model code of conduct has come into force from the time ECI announced the poll schedule, the surveillance teams are being set up across the state which will ensure random checking of vehicles and take remedial action. The central force will search the vehicles for cash, liquor or drugs, if any. In case any cash/jewellery of above Rs 1 lakh is found and the person is unable to explain its source the money will be seized and handed over to the Income Tax authorities.

Hence, the ECI has advised people to carry along proof of source of cash or jewellery while travelling.

The helicopters/planes will also be subjected to checks and inspection at the place of disembarkation.

In another move, the ECI made it clear to the political parties that their hoardings, if any, anywhere in the state are in violation of the poll code. All the hoardings should have been removed before code of conduct coming into force.

The Punjab election department, in view of ECI's guidelines, has directed all the deputy commissioners across the state to ask the political parties to pull down hoardings erected across the roads, from government buildings, roundabouts and all other places where they could be a source of nuisance for the public.

Poll 2012
99.66% voters have been issued the voting cards.
Total population of Punjab as per 2011 Census - 2,77,04,236.
1,74,33,332, total voters at present.
On January 2 final voter list will be published.
19,724, total polling booths.
Expenditure sensitive constituencies - 19.
Total poll expenditure limit of candidates - 16 lakh.
71 NRI voters applications were received and 43 accepted.
1950 is toll-free number for complaint-cum-call centre of CEO.
125: Poll Observers to be deployed.
No transfers without ECI approval.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Pawan Sharma, based in Chandigarh, is Assistant Editor in HT and presently writes on Haryana's politics and governance. During different stints over the past two decades, he covered Punjab extensively for 10 years and before that judiciary and Himachal Pradesh with focus on high-impact news breaking and investigative journalism.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On