The Returning Officer of Karbi Anglong, Mukut Kumar Saikia, has said that the district is gearing up for the Lok Sabha elections which will commence from April 11 next. Saikia is the Returning Officer for both Diphu Election District and Howraghat Election District.
Saikia stated, “There are 424 polling stations in total for Diphu and Howraghat Election Districts. Out of these 424 polling stations, 18 Howraghat ST LAC has 166 polling stations and 19 Diphu ST LAC has 258 polling stations. There are two Model Polling Stations as per EC norms and guidelines. Under 18 Howraghat ST LAC, Model Polling Station is 69 Parokhuwa Higher Secondary School (Left Wing) and under 19 Diphu ST LAC, it is 198 Diphu Town LP School.
In Howraghat Election District, four polling stations and in Diphu Election District, six polling stations will be manned by all-women polling parties.” The Returning Officer also informed that anyone realising that he or she has pressed the wrong button can make an appeal to the presiding officer. 1950 is a toll-free number for any poll-related information. Total electors in Diphu Election District and Howraghat Election District is 3, 11,248. In Howraghat Election District, there is 1, 24,716 electors, out of which 62,909 are male and 61,807, are female. In 19 Diphu ST LAC, there is 1, 86,532 electors, out of which 94,557 are male and 91,969, are female.
Speaking about communication bottlenecks, he further stated, “We are trying to find out the shadow areas and accordingly, if necessary, we will make a request to the EC for satellite telephones.” Saikia further informed that in Diphu and Howraghat Election District, 90 per cent of the polling stations are equipped with ramps for the differently abled voters. There are 7,700 first-time voters.
Speaking about the security front, SP Gaurav Upadhyay said, “The police are fully prepared. We have made sensitivity analysis and have accordingly chalked out plans to deploy police personnel. Twenty to 25 mobile naka are there in the entire district and we have started monitoring strictly the flow of money and liquor. Trouble-mongers have been identified and under preventive Sections of CrPC we are taking action as per law. We have executed all non-bailable warrants and I request through the media that all licensed arms be deposited at the nearest police stations as per mandate of the EC. We will establish a police control room pronto.”