Barak Valley admin gears up for polls in 13 constituencies

Silchar: District administrations across Barak Valley have intensified preparations for the assembly elections, with arrangements underway in 13 constituencies across Cachar, Sribhumi and Hailakandi districts.The 13 constituencies include seven in Cachar, four in Sribhumi and two in Hailakandi.In Cachar, the administration has announced the venues for submission and scrutiny of nomination papers for the seven assembly constituencies of Lakhipur, Udharbond, Katigorah, Barkhola, Silchar, Sonai and Dholai (SC). The arrangements have been made under the leadership of district commissioner and district election officer Ayush Garg to ensure the nomination process is conducted in a transparent and orderly manner.

In Hailakandi, the administration has stepped up preparations after the announcement of the election schedule. Addressing the media on Monday, district commissioner Abhishek Jain said the administration is fully committed to ensuring free, fair and intimidation-free elections.A total of 623 polling stations will be set up across the district’s two constituencies, Hailakandi and Algapur–Katlicherra. Of these, 284 polling stations will be in Hailakandi and 339 in Algapur–Katlicherra.

To encourage women’s participation, 50 polling stations will be managed entirely by women officials, including 40 in Hailakandi constituency and 10 in Algapur–Katlicherra. One model polling station will also be set up in each constituency.Additional superintendent of police Samir Daptar Baruah said six teams of Border Security Force are currently deployed in the district for election duties and the administration has requested the Election Commission to deploy 12 more companies of central forces.In Sribhumi, the administration held a meeting with representatives of political parties to discuss implementation of the Model Code of Conduct after the election schedule was announced.District commissioner Pradip Kumar Dwivedi has issued prohibitory orders under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita to maintain law and order during the election period. The order bars gatherings of five or more persons without permission and prohibits carrying weapons, explosives or suspicious materials.Election notifications for the four Sribhumi constituencies — North Karimganj, South Karimganj, Patharkandi and Ramkrishna Nagar (SC) — were issued on Monday, formally beginning the nomination process.