All-party Meeting
Collector V. Palanikumar (right) addressing representatives of various political parties in the city on Monday. The Collector, V. Palanikumar, on Monday exhorted representatives of all political parties to comply with the model code of conduct in the ensuing elections to the Lok Sabha.Talking to reporters after the all-party meeting held at the collectorate, he said political parties should ensure utmost cooperation in conducting public meetings, rallies, campaign as well as during polling and counting of votes.
During campaign, the parties should avoid resorting to speeches or acts that would hurt the sentiments of others. He also wanted the political parties to refrain from campaigning on religious and caste line.
He added that over 12, 000 personnel would be involved in the conduct of elections in 2,721 polling stations in Coimbatore and Pollachi constituencies. Of this 500 booths have been identified as sensitive in the vulnerable mapping exercise carried out by the revenue and police administration. As per the Election Commission of India norms, a polling station has been set up in every 2 km radius for the convenience of the electorate. However, in hilly terrains coming under the Mettupalayam, Kavundampalayam, Udumalpet Assembly segments, there is a discrepancy with regard to the 2 km norms. Recommendations have been sent for 35 such booths.
In respect of polling stations identified as sensitive, efforts are on to rope in officials from Central Government Departments and undertakings. These officials would be micro observers. The Government College of Technology on Thadagam Road in the city and PA College of Engineering in Pollachi would be the counting centres for the Coimbatore and Pollachi constituencies respectively. Police Commissioner K. C. Mahali, Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra, District Revenue Officer S Prabhakaran, Superintendent of Police N. Kannan, Deputy Commissioners of Police K. Shanmugavel, P Nagarajan besides representatives of all political parties attended the meeting.
