Ghatshila By-Poll: Campaigning Ends, Borders Sealed

All Checkposts Under Intensive Surveillance Before Monday Voting

Key Points:

• Campaign activities cease as 48-hour silence period begins Sunday evening
• ₹3.30 crore cash seized, 19 illegal weapons recovered during checks
• 186 out of 300 polling booths declared sensitive, require extra security

JAMSHEDPUR – The Ghatshila by-election enters its final phase with campaign activities halted and strict monitoring. District administration has sealed all borders for fair polling.

The campaign noise for the Ghatshila Assembly by-poll stopped on Sunday evening at 5 pm. District Election Officer (DEO) and Deputy Commissioner Karna Satyarthi announced this at a press conference. All restrictions under the Model Code of Conduct became effective. However, loudspeakers can no longer be used for campaigning.

Strict Border Management

The administration has sealed interstate and inter-district boundaries. All outsiders in the constituency have been asked to leave. Moreover, strict action will be taken against any external political figures. Hotels, lodges, and other accommodation facilities are undergoing intensive searches.

Satyarthi emphasized that the district administration is committed to free elections. Meanwhile, all checkposts have intensified their surveillance operations. The next 48 hours are considered extremely crucial.

Significant Seizures Reported

Since October 6, authorities have confiscated ₹3.30 crore in cash. Senior Superintendent of Police Piyush Pandey provided additional details. On the other hand, 19 illegal weapons were recovered during this period. Officials also seized 34 rounds of ammunition from various locations.

The administration issued over 600 non-bailable warrants. Furthermore, action was taken against 52 individuals under various acts. Authorities served notices to 938 people for potential peace violations.

Weapon Deposit Status

Out of 1,702 licensed weapons, 1,233 have been deposited. Some license holders received exemptions for keeping their firearms. However, over 100 people ignored repeated notices. The cancellation process for their licenses has now begun.

Polling Booth Security

The constituency has 300 polling booths in total. Among these, 186 are marked as critical booths. Additional security forces will be deployed at these locations. In addition, all booths will have live webcasting facilities.

Micro observers will be stationed at 30 booths. They will report directly to general observers throughout voting day. Moreover, 10 companies of CRPF will be deployed considering the sensitivity.

Final Preparations Underway

Polling teams will be dispatched on Monday morning. A total of 1,320 polling personnel will leave from Cooperative College. Besides, mock polls are scheduled for 5:30 am on November 11.

Ghatshila Returning Officer Sunil Chandra attended the briefing. DTO Dhananjay and Deputy Election Officer Priyanka Singh were also present. Meanwhile, the EVM teams have completed their training sessions.

The administration has urged citizens to follow electoral guidelines. Vehicles carrying suspicious materials will face thorough checking at borders. On the other hand, postal ballot voting was completed earlier for eligible voters.