15,000 cops to ensure free and fair polling in city: CoP

Speaking after a meeting with city police commissioner A K Viswanathan and election observers, Prakash said that Cash to the tune of Rs 6.60 crore was also seized and Rs 62.93 lakh had been returned so far. But, no one has made claim for the remaining amount.

The district election office has deployed two companies of Andhra Pradesh special police force in Chennai to ensure smooth conduct of elections. Besides, five companies of paramilitary forces are also being kept at the disposal of officials.

“Around 15,000 police personnel will be deployed on poll duty in Chennai,” Viswanathan said, adding that additional forces would be posted in 62 critical booths and 106 vulnerable booths.

Prakash said that the booth slips were distributed to over 21 lakh voters and for the remaining electorate it would be distributed on Wednesday. “Through these slips, which are not valid documents to vote, public can know details of polling booths etc.” he added. Listing the steps taken to facilitate voters with disabilities, Prakash said that such persons would be given priority at polling booths, and they need not wait in the queue.

“There are 913 polling locations in the city. All these locations will have volunteers to help the voters with disabilities. We will also arrange for wheelchairs.”

Based on the direction of the Election Commission of India (ECI), the district election office has set up four model polling booths in each of the 16 Assembly constituencies falling in Chennai district. As many as 16 all-women polling booths would also be set up in each of the 16 constituencies.