Steps taken to bolster security ahead of Maheshtala bypoll

Kolkata: All steps have been taken to ensure that the by-election in Maheshtala Assembly constituency in South 24-Parganas passes peacefully, without any untoward incident.

The by-election is going to be held at 283 booths spread across the 44 sq km area of the Assembly constituency, where the poll is going to start from 7 am on Monday morning and continue till 5 pm.

In a bid to ensure that the election passes peacefully, a total of nine companies of Central forces have been deployed at the Assembly constituency, which became vacant with the death of two-time MLA Kasturi Das in February.

Trinamool Congress has fielded the sitting Chairman of Maheshtala Municipality Dulal Das, whereas CPI(M) has fielded Pravash Chodhury. Congress has not fielded its candidate due to its alliance with CPI(M). Meanwhile, BJP's candidate for the by-election is Sujit Ghosh.

There will be paramilitary forces in each of the polling premises, along with a policeman. Besides ensuring security in the polling stations, steps have also been taken to ensure that no untoward incident takes place in any part of the Assembly constituency area.

There will be mobile patrolling vans that will keep moving around the area to ensure proper vigilance when the election will go on.

At the same time, there will also be quick response teams (QRT) that will remained stationed at strategic locations and they will be directed to move immediately to tackle a situation if deterioration of the law and order situation comes to notice at any place.

There was patrolling at different parts in the area since morning and polling personnel were also found busy making all necessary arrangements to start the election on time in all the booths. There will also be VVPAT machines.

There is a total of 2,48,754 voters, including 1,27,178 male and 1,21,576 female citizen, who will be exercising their power on Monday, while the counting is scheduled to be held on May 31.

There will also be necessary security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident on the day of counting as well.