Civic polls: 264 booths in Sonipat, 1,500 security personnel on toes

Sonipat: The district administration and police authorities in Sonipat have completed extensive preparations for the municipal elections, with elaborate security and logistical arrangements put in place to ensure peaceful, transparent and smooth polling on May 10.Ahead of the voting day, polling parties deputed for election duty were dispatched from BITS Mohana under the supervision of senior administrative officials. Election personnel were provided with electronic voting machines (EVMs), voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) units and all other essential election material required for the conduct of polling.District election officer and deputy commissioner Neha Singh said a total of 264 polling booths have been established across the corporation area for the elections. Of these, 15 booths have been identified as sensitive and two as highly sensitive, where additional security arrangements and enhanced surveillance measures have been deployed.While nine candidates are in the fray for the mayor's post, 89 candidates are contesting for 22 councillor seats.To maintain law and order during the elections, the police administration has deployed a massive security apparatus across the district. Police commissioner Mamta Singh said 4 deputy commissioners of police (DCPs), 8 assistant commissioners of police (ACPs), 29 inspectors and nearly 1,500 police personnel have been deployed on election duty.She said sensitive and highly sensitive booths will remain under special security surveillance, while quick-response police teams have been kept on standby to tackle any untoward situation. Police patrols have also been intensified in vulnerable areas ahead of polling day.The police commissioner said the force has been placed on high alert and any attempt to disturb peace or violate election norms would invite strict action. "Police teams will immediately reach the spot in case of any tension or dispute and ensure that peace and law and order are maintained," she said.In the race 9 | Candidates in fray for mayor's post89 | Candidates contesting for 22 councillor seatsElectorsTotal voters | 2,96,108 Male voters | 1,53,411 female voters | 1,42,690 Others | 7Security drill ahead of pollsThe city police on Friday carried out an extensive flag march across several sensitive and high-footfall areas. Led by police commissioner Mamata Singh, the march witnessed the deployment of heavy police force, including district police personnel, traffic units, women police teams, crime branch officials, rider squads and security forces. The route of the march covered key locations including Chhotu Ram Chowk, Mission Chowk, Kalupur Chungi, Parshuram Chowk, Aggarsain Chowk, Jatwara, Sector-15, Fazilpur, Raipur, Bahalgarh Chowk and the Rai-Narela Road up to ITI Chowk. Police teams also conducted intensive patrolling in marketplaces, crowded zones and other public spaces during the operation.