3272 Foot soldiers of Democracy departed from three dispatch centres of SAS Nagar

SAS Nagar: To celebrate the Festival of Democracy for which the district administration was preparing for the last two and half months, 3272-foot soldiers of democracy departed from the three dispatch centres of the SAS Nagar district, today by the respective Assistant Returning Officers-cum-Sub Divisional Magistrates, said the District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Mrs Aashika Jain,  on Friday evening.

Divulging the details, she said that the polling parties were in the festive mood and with great enthusiasm they departed from the dispatch centres set up at Sports Complex, 78, Mohali, Govt Polytechnic Khooni Majra and Govt College Derabassi. The deputy commissioner while visiting all the dispatch centres interacts with the polling personnel and boosts their morale. She said that all the requisite arrangements have been made by the administration at polling booths like accommodation, food, fans/coolers, sweet and cold water etc to save them from the scorching heat.

Deputy Commissioner further said that about 8, 12, 593 voters would use their voting rights tomorrow in the district and the district administration during its’ two and half month long voter awareness SVEEP activities has mobilised them to go to the booth on June 1, 2024, and she hopes the district would surpass the target of 70 per cent easily.

She said that most of the polling staff and polling party heads are among the women power because the district has 70 per cent women employees while 30 per cent male. Wishing all the parties the best for completing the

The Deputy Commissioner further said that the polling to be started at 7:00 am tomorrow at 818 booths in 485 locations that would continue till 6:00 pm.

District has 89 vulnerable/critical booths in 33 locations that would be manned by Para-Military Jawans. Apart from that, CCTV Cameras and Micro Observers would also keep a close watch on these booths. She said that all the 818 booths have been equipped with a webcasting facility to check real-time polling at a centralized control room.

She said that to save the voters and polling staff from heat waves, the arrangement of ORS packets and other required medicines has been done besides deputing the specially trained ASHA and Anganwadi Workers. All the booths have been mapped with nearby Govt Hospitals also to rush the heat-affected patients in need, she added.

SSP Dr Sandip Garg added that the district police have manpower of about 4000 security personnel that have been deputed on booths, Nakas and Patrolling in the district for round-the-clock vigil. He said that all the GOs (SPs and DSPs) and Police Station and Chowki Incharges would be in the field to ensure free, fair and transparent polling today.