With the Haryana Assembly elections set for October 5, security has been significantly heightened across the state. Authorities have deployed 225 paramilitary companies and 60,000 security personnel to maintain order during the electoral process. Additionally, 11,000 Special Police Officers (SPOs) are on standby to assist in ensuring a secure voting environment.
Focus on High-Risk Areas
According to Haryana’s Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapoor, the Nuh district has been identified as a highly sensitive area, prompting the deployment of 13 paramilitary companies there. Kapoor reported that over ₹60 crore has been seized across the state, with Gurugram, Faridabad, and Ambala recording the highest amounts. The police have also recently confiscated 27,000 liters of illegal liquor and dismantled a fake liquor factory.
Encouraging Voter Participation
DGP Kapoor emphasized the importance of public cooperation, urging citizens to participate in the electoral process in large numbers. “Democracy requires public cooperation,” he stated.
Haryana’s Chief Electoral Officer, Pankaj Agarwal, announced that state, district, and assembly control rooms will be established to oversee webcasting at polling stations. In a video conference from Chandigarh, Agarwal reviewed the election arrangements and confirmed that the Election Commission of India will monitor the process through webcasting.
Agarwal warned that polling agents will only be allowed to engage in authorized activities on polling day, with strict legal repercussions for any violations. He also highlighted the need for vigilance at checkpoints to prevent the transportation of illegal liquor, narcotics, cash, and weapons during the election period.
Secure Handling of Voting Equipment
The Chief Electoral Officer instructed that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) must be securely stored in strong rooms before being transferred to polling booths. After voting, EVMs should be transported under stringent security measures, with vehicles equipped with GPS to ensure safe transit without stops.
Haryana’s elections will determine the state’s 90-member legislative assembly, with vote counting scheduled for October 8.
