SAMBALPUR: With the first phase of three-tier panchayat poll to be held on Saturday, leaders of different political parties and poll managers have retreated from the field and are busy in SWOT analysis. Polling is scheduled in the Maoists-infested Naktideul Zone I, Jujumura Zone II, Jamankira Zone II and Maneswar Zone III on the first day. The district which has nine blocks, will elect 19 ZP members, 148 each Samiti Members and sarpanches and 1874 ward members. Massive security arrangements have been made to thwart any untoward incident and area domination by SOG, CRPF and DVF is already underway, informed Additional SP Dilip Kumar Deo. He informed that 16 platoons of OSAP, APR and Ordinary Reserve Force have been deployed in areas where polls will be held on Saturday. Ten platoons of Home Guards, 310 gramrakhis and 64 forest guards have also been deployed. Vulnerable areas have been identified and striking force with the Magistrate will be present. Patrolling on four and two wheelers and foot has also been introduced.Arrangements FoolproofDhenkanal: The district administration has made fool-proof arrangements to ensure free and fair elections in eight blocks of the district. Special arrangements have been in Maoist-affected Kankadahada block, said SP Satish Gajbhiye while addressing mediapersons on the eve of the first phase of three-tier elections.About security arrangement SP Gajbhiye informed that three platoons police personnel will be deployed with the support of gramrakhis in the areas going to polls on Saturday. Striking force has already been positioned to contain any anti-democratic situation in the areas to go for polls.The district comprises 199 gram panchayats and 27 Zilla Parishad zones in eight blocks. Of the total 2821 booths, 347 have been identified hypersensitive and 1080 sensitive.As many as 1,260 polling parties and six mobile parties have been engaged for polling purpose in the PRI election.Gajbhiye admitted shortage of police personnel for election as there is deployment of police force already in Bhusan Steel for labour unrest. Four platoons of police have been deployed on BSL premises.Earlier, District Magistrate Bishnu Prasad Panda said all required polling materials have been dispatched to all the eight blocks and the presiding officers are armed with quasi-judicial powers to take final decision in case of any incident.In addition, police deployment is also crucial for the ongoing Joranda festival and the forthcoming Maha Shivratri at Kapilas temple where a huge turnout of devotees is expected.
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