Polling tomorrow amidst tight police security
58,302 polling stations, use of police of other states
Bengaluru, May 11: Director General of Police and IG Neelamani N Raju said that the police department has taken all precautionary measures and security arrangements to ensure free and fair Assembly election in the state tomorrow.
Speaking to reporters at her office here on Friday, she said that total 58,302 polling stations were set up for voting and among them, 21,464 polling stations were identified as sensitive polling stations. Each such polling station was provided a head constable and a constable and general polling station was provided a constable or home guard, she added.
Police from other states
For the first time, total 7500 police force was summoned from Goa, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, along with home guards and civil police personnel, for the election duty. Responding to the request, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh have also sent their forces. But since there was more force than requirement, they were sent back, the DGP said.
For the election duty, total 43,653 police personnel, 22,172 home guards, two thousand Seva Dal, and remaining 3000 from the forest staff, Lokayukta, CID and other organizations are being used for the purpose. Apart from this, 585 platoons of armed forces were also deputed and these forces were deputed as flying squads and sector squads. Apart from this, one armed personnel would be deputed for each of the sensitive polling booths, she said.
Only 117 cases were registered related to election in the state this year. As the police security was beefed up in some sensitive places like Shivamogga, Davangere, Bengaluru, Hubballi- Dharwad, no communal clashes or cases were reported. Except one murder in a fracas between two groups in an inebriated condition, at Chikkaballapur, no casualties were reported in any parts of the state, she said.
There were no reports of Naxal activities in the state. Except some information about their movement during January and February, no activities were reported. Nowhere the election was boycotted. Even then, sufficient police security has been provided in naxal-prone places, she added.
ADGP Kamal Panth was appointed as the nodal officer for election work and senior officer R Hitendra was appointed to look after the cases of expenditure and violation of code of conduct and DIG Sandeep Patil was given the responsibility of deputing armed forces and security forces. All three of them were in regular contact with Chief Election Officer, she said.
Precautionary measures
In view of the election, more than 40,000 people, having criminal background, were summoned to police stations and warned them. Based on the circumstances, the police stations would arrest such persons, if needed. Out of total 97,043 licenced weapons, 95,405 weapons were deposited in police stations after election code of conduct was enforced. But 1456 weapons were given relaxation from deposition and licences of 19 weapons were cancelled. Total 22 illegal weapons and 30 bullets were seized, he said.
“State assembly poll would be held tomorrow. Tight police security was made for polling. All measures were taken to ensure free and fair election in the state and people could vote without any fear”- DGP Neelamani N Raju
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If somebody breaks into my house, they’re getting shot: Kamala Harris
Michigan: Kamala Harris participated in a star-studded rally hosted by Oprah Winfrey in Michigan, aiming to energise voters ahead of the crucial November 5 election. During the event, which featured appearances from Hollywood stars like Jennifer Lopez and Meryl Streep, Harris discussed key campaign issues, including abortion, the economy, and gun control.
In a light-hearted moment, she stated, “I'm a gun owner too; if somebody breaks into my house, they're getting shot,” before joking about the potential backlash from her staff. The rally was part of Harris's strategy to unify voters against the divisive politics represented by former President Donald Trump.
While Harris gained traction from a recent poll showing her leading in Pennsylvania, the race remains tight nationwide. Trump, in contrast, held a darker event where he criticised Jewish Americans for their voting patterns, suggesting that their support would be critical to his campaign.
As the election nears, both candidates are actively seeking support from key demographics, including unions and various community groups. Harris's campaign faces challenges, particularly in areas with significant Arab-American populations opposed to U.S. policies regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict.
