Kolhapur and Ichalkaranji have wrapped up their final preparations for the municipal corporation elections scheduled for Thursday. Officials worked diligently on Wednesday to ensure everything was in place. They dispatched electronic voting machines to all polling centers under strict security protocols. Traffic diversions were implemented to facilitate smooth movement.
EVM Deployment and Backup Plans
In Kolhapur alone, authorities delivered 1,300 EVMs to 593 polling stations. They kept an additional 10% of machines in reserve as a precaution. An official explained the backup strategy clearly. "If any technical glitch occurs during voting, we will replace the faulty EVM at the affected booth within 15 minutes," he stated. This ensures minimal disruption to the voting process.
Voter Eligibility and Polling Hours
A total of 4,94,711 people within Kolhapur's civic limits are eligible to cast their votes on Thursday. KMC administrator and chief electoral officer K Manjulekshmi provided detailed timing information. "Voting will commence at 7.30am and conclude by 5.30pm on Thursday," she announced. She emphasized that all arrangements have been made to facilitate a smooth electoral process.
Comprehensive Security Measures
The police department has implemented a robust security plan to ensure peaceful polling. Authorities have deployed 14 flying squads comprising nearly 300 personnel. These squads will remain vigilant throughout the voting period. Vehicle checks will be conducted at various locations, including established checkpoints.
K Manjulekshmi highlighted additional monitoring efforts. "We have a dedicated cyber team tasked with monitoring social media platforms," she revealed. This team will act promptly against any violations of the model code of conduct. So far, officials have already seized 493 litres of alcohol and unaccounted cash from two different locations.
Addressing Voter List Issues
Additional commissioner Ravikant Adsul addressed concerns about the voter list. He confirmed there are 6,150 dual entries in the current list. "Out of these, 2,594 voters have already submitted affidavits declaring their preferred polling station," he explained. The remaining voters will file their affidavits directly at their respective polling stations on election day.
Strict Social Media and Device Regulations
Police have issued a stern warning regarding social media usage during voting. They stated clearly that legal action would be taken against anyone posting photos or videos of the voting process online. An officer elaborated on device restrictions. "Carrying cellphones into polling booths has been strictly prohibited," he emphasized. Police will conduct thorough checks within a 100-meter radius of every polling station to enforce this rule.
Identifying Sensitive Areas
SP Yogesh Kumar discussed security arrangements for vulnerable locations. "We have identified and marked 44 polling centers in the city as sensitive," he stated. These include areas like Sadar Bazar, Vikramnagar, Rajendranagar, Lakshatirth Vasahat, and certain parts of the Peth region. Additional security personnel will be deployed at these locations to maintain order.
Preventive Measures and Voter Assistance
Ahead of the elections, police took preventive action by expelling 206 known offenders from the district. This included 128 individuals from Kolhapur and 78 from Ichalkaranji. Meanwhile, the municipal health department announced special assistance for differently abled voters.
KMC health officer Prakash Pawara detailed the transportation initiative. "We will provide free rickshaw service for 384 registered voters with disabilities," he said. The department has assigned a fleet of 22 rickshaws specifically for this purpose. These vehicles will transport voters to and from their polling stations throughout Thursday.
All these measures demonstrate the comprehensive approach authorities have taken to ensure free, fair, and peaceful municipal elections in both cities.
