Pankaj Nath, Assam, 13 September: District administration and police in Nagaon, Assam have stepped up preparations to ensure the Lok Sabha by-election is conducted in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful atmosphere. Nagaon District Commissioner and Returning Officer Aranyak Saikia and Senior Superintendent of Police V. V. Rakesh Reddy on Sunday carried out a special inspection of highly sensitive and touchstone polling stations in the Nagaon –Batadrava and Dhing assembly areas. During the inspection, the officers reviewed the geographic locations of polling centres, inter-village communications, access routes and contingency plans to meet any potential emergency. They examined detailed security measures devised to maintain order and ensure voters can exercise their democratic rights without fear or intimidation. Officials discussed special vigilance measures being implemented to allay fears, dispel apprehensions and calm any tensions among local residents. To prevent untoward incidents, the district administration and police confirmed plans for security force route-marching, deployment of CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces) personnel in sensitive pockets, and robust monitoring and control arrangements on polling day. The District Commissioner also engaged directly with local people during the visit, listening to their concerns. The inspection was attended by Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar) Rouji Talukdar and station-in-charges of the concerned police stations. Officials said law-and-order and voter security are being emphasised at every stage of the election process, and that required arrangements at polling locations have been put in place on schedule. Coordinated security plans and operational procedures were finalised during the inspection, and pre-poll monitoring and deployments will be completed ahead of voting. The district administration reiterated its aim that the bypoll should be held peacefully and that no voter should feel intimidated or confused. With final security and coordination measures approved, authorities said they are ready to ensure a safe environment for voters on polling day.
