Bhilai, Nov 20: Polling began amidst tight security on Tuesday at 08:00 hrs. While the polling stations spread across the district recorded an average voter turnout of 11-16 percent in the first two hours of voting, most of the booths almost wore a festive look till 1200 hrs. Poll watchers, however, anticipated that the polling would go up in the closing stages. A majority of women voters, in particular, came early to cast their votes. The poll percentage recorded by 09:00 hrs had barely gone above 10 percent. The percentage recorded at 12:00 hrs was between 17-36% which got elevated to 21-57% at 14:00 hrs. At 16:00 hrs, the polling percentage was recorded between 40-73%.
Security was stepped up to thwart any possible threat. Special arrangements were made at the 584 polling booths in the district which were categorized as ‘sensitive’. More than 4000 jawans / officers of Paramilitary forces, Central Reserve Police Force and other Forces were deployed at the sensitive booths. District Force and SPOs were deployed at remaining booths. 2000 jawans / officers of District Force and SPO were deployed at these booths. All the gazetted officers of District Police accompanied with one gazetted officer of paramilitary force and a commando conducted patrolling across their Police Station limits for the entire day. AD Squad and Quick Response Teams were positioned at different places across the district. Elaborate security and vigilance arrangements ensured free and fair polls. Overall polling was peaceful in the District. District Election Officer and Superintendent of Police have expressed gratitude towards denizens for their support in conduct of peaceful polling.
After conclusion of the polling, the polling parties sealed the EVMs and other material and carried the same amid tight security to the Strong Room at Shri Shankaracharya Engineering College (SSEC) in Junwani. Elaborate security arrangement has been made at the premises of SSEC where the EVMs will be stored. One Company of Central Paramilitary Force has been deployed in the core tier of multi-tier security arrangement at the Strong Room. The armed jawans will be deployed for the security of ballot units and control units at the Strong Room.