Gujarat: Over one lakh security personnel to be deployed for local body polls

​Gandhinagar, April 21 A total of 59,525 Home Guard and GRD personnel, as well as 41,383 additional forces, will be deployed across Gujarat for the local self-government elections, as police intensify preparations to ensure a peaceful and orderly polling process.​

The security deployment was reviewed at a high-level video conference chaired by the Director General of Police (DGP), K. L. N. Rao, on Tuesday.​

The meeting was attended by all city police commissioners, district police chiefs, and range heads.​

The meeting focused on planning and allocating security arrangements for the elections, covering 15 municipal corporations, 84 municipalities, by-elections in 13 municipalities, 34 district panchayats, and 260 taluka panchayat seats.​

Officials said the large-scale deployment of police and allied forces is aimed at ensuring a peaceful and fair electoral process across urban and rural areas.​

During the meeting, Rao issued detailed instructions on maintaining law and order, particularly in sensitive areas.​

“Strict patrolling must be carried out in sensitive locations, and the law and order situation should be monitored continuously,” Rao said.​

He also directed that security arrangements be strengthened along inter-district and state borders to prevent any untoward movement during the election period.​

Police units were instructed to remain alert and ensure uninterrupted communication, free of technical disruptions, with an emphasis on quick response and coordination among field units.​

The elections are scheduled for April 26, with polling expected to take place between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. using electronic voting machines (EVMs).​

Counting of votes is set for April 28, while repolling, if required, will be conducted on April 27.​

The poll process began earlier this month with the filing of nominations, followed by scrutiny and withdrawal phases completed in mid-April.​

The elections, spanning thousands of seats across local bodies, are expected to see large-scale participation, making security deployment a key component of the state’s preparations.

​--IANS

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