In a significant move ahead of the upcoming municipal elections, top officials from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and the city police convened a crucial coordination meeting on Thursday. The primary agenda was to meticulously review and solidify security arrangements for the numerous polling stations and the vital strong rooms where Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) will be stored.
Key Officials Discuss Poll Preparedness
The high-level meeting, designed to enhance inter-departmental cooperation, saw the presence of key decision-makers. NMC Commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari and Police Commissioner Ravinder Singal led the discussions. They were joined by Joint Commissioner of Police Navinchandra Reddy and various nodal officers from both the civic body and the police department.
The dialogue centered on comprehensive logistics and security blueprints for the day of polling, as well as for the vote counting process scheduled for January 16. A major point of review was the safety protocol for the strong rooms that will house the EVMs after voting concludes.
Focus on 3000+ Booths and 24.83 Lakh Voters
Officials dedicated considerable attention to the security framework for the more than 3,000 polling booths distributed across Nagpur's 38 electoral wards. With a substantial electorate of over 24.83 lakh voters set to choose their 151 corporators, the need for flawless execution was strongly emphasized.
The discussions covered several critical operational aspects:
- Adequate deployment of police personnel at all sensitive locations.
- Strategic planning for booth locations to ensure accessibility and order.
- Contingency measures to promptly address any potential law-and-order situations.
A senior official present at the meeting pointed out a specific concern regarding polling stations situated in structurally unsound buildings or confined narrow lanes. The consensus was to avoid such venues and instead give preference to locations with proper boundary walls for better security management and crowd control.
Ensuring Peaceful and Transparent Elections
The entire coordination exercise is a foundational part of the preparations to guarantee the smooth, peaceful, and transparent conduct of the long-awaited civic elections. Officials underscored the necessity of close and continuous monitoring at every stage of the electoral process.
This proactive meeting between the NMC and police administration highlights the concerted effort to leave no stone unturned in safeguarding the democratic process for Nagpur's citizens. The focus remains on creating a secure environment that enables every voter to cast their ballot without fear or hindrance.
