Hooghly, 13 April (H.S.): In a bid to ensure free, fair, and peaceful elections, the Election Commission has introduced a new “double-layer identification” system for voters. Under this system, voters will be verified by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) at the entrance of polling stations before being allowed to enter and cast their votes.

To strengthen monitoring, webcasting cameras will be installed both inside and outside every polling booth. Adequate deployment of central forces at each booth has also been planned to prevent any untoward incidents.

A high-level meeting regarding election preparedness was held on Monday at the Hooghly District Magistrate’s office. The meeting was attended by District Magistrate Khurshid Ali Qadri, Chandannagar Police Commissioner Sunil Kumar Yadav, Hooghly Rural SP Sunny Raj, and central force officials Nakul Verma and V. Vidhun.

After the meeting, officials stated that all necessary measures are being taken to conduct elections smoothly. Naka checking is being carried out across key roads to prevent illegal movement of cash, liquor, and arms. Authorities have made it clear that violence or booth capturing will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Officials also informed that voters will not be allowed to carry mobile phones inside polling booths. Devices must be deposited outside before entry. A voter identification team will remain stationed outside booths as part of the double-layer verification system, while Static Surveillance Teams (SST) will remain active throughout the process.

The District Magistrate revealed that since the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct, illegal liquor worth approximately ₹16.37 crore has been seized. Hooghly Rural Police reported that around ₹8 crore worth of illegal liquor was confiscated in Singur and Chanditala areas in the past month alone. A total of 41 naka checking points have been set up in rural areas.

Chandannagar Police Commissioner stated that 1,598 route marches have already been conducted with central forces. Surveillance through SST and FST teams is ongoing. Authorities have also seized cannabis worth around ₹30 lakh in Chandannagar and ₹96,000 in cash from Chinsurah ferry ghat. Action has been taken against anti-social elements, with several arrests made.

According to police officials, 46 companies of central forces have already arrived, and around 200 companies will be deployed on polling day, especially in rural areas.

The District Magistrate further informed that Hooghly district has a total of 5,387 polling booths and over 4.3 million voters. Each assembly constituency will have one model booth, along with several women-managed polling stations.

Special arrangements have been made for senior citizens aged above 85 and differently-abled voters. Around 30,000 such voters have applied for home voting, which will begin from April 18.

Authorities emphasized that all guidelines issued by the Election Commission will be strictly followed to ensure a transparent and pea

ceful electoral process.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey