Dhanbad Civic Polls: Ballot Boxes Secured in Strong Room Under Three-Tier Security
In a meticulously coordinated operation late Sunday night, the ballot boxes utilized across 1,019 polling booths for the February 23 elections to elect officials for the Dhanbad Municipal Corporation (DMC) and the Chirkunda Municipal Council (CMC) were successfully transported to a designated receiving centre. This critical phase of the civic body polls across the state unfolded at the government polytechnic campus, with the process conducted under the vigilant eyes of security personnel, administrative officials, and representatives of contesting candidates, as confirmed by officials on the ground.
Statutory Formalities and Sealing of Strong Room
Upon arrival at the receiving centre, election personnel diligently completed all statutory formalities required by law. The ballot boxes were then systematically placed in a strong room at earmarked locations within the facility. Following this, the strong room was officially sealed in a formal ceremony attended by key district authorities.
The sealing was overseen by District Election Officer (Municipal)-cum-Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan, along with Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Prabhat Kumar, Deputy Development Commissioner Sunny Raj, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Lokesh Barange, and Returning Officer for the Mayoral Post Vinod Kumar. Representatives from mayoral, chairperson, and ward candidates were also present to witness the procedure, ensuring transparency and adherence to electoral protocols.
Enhanced Security Measures for Ballot Integrity
SSP Prabhat Kumar provided detailed insights into the robust security arrangements implemented to safeguard the ballot boxes until the counting of votes commences. "The strongroom will remain under three-tier security until the counting of votes," he stated emphatically. "The innermost security layer has been assigned to the Jharkhand Armed Police, while the middle and outer layers are guarded by district police personnel."
To further bolster security, continuous surveillance mechanisms have been put in place. This includes round-the-clock monitoring through advanced systems to ensure the integrity and safety of the stored ballot boxes. The multi-layered approach aims to prevent any unauthorized access or tampering, thereby upholding the sanctity of the electoral process in these crucial municipal elections.
The transportation and securing of ballot boxes mark a pivotal step in the Dhanbad and Chirkunda civic polls, reflecting the administration's commitment to conducting free, fair, and transparent elections. With the strong room now sealed under stringent security, all eyes are on the upcoming vote counting, which will determine the leadership for these municipal bodies in Jharkhand.
