Presentation on Electoral Practices

(Security Management)

during

General Elections to The Lok Sabha-2014

Lok Sabha Constituency Sangrur (12)

by

Mandeep Singh Sidhu, PPS

Sr. Superintendent of Police,Sangrur, Punjab

General Introduction to Sangrur

• With the amalgamation of the erstwhile princely states in the Union of India, District Sangrur came into existence with effect from 01.09.1949.

• Formerly, Sangrur was the capital of Jind State. After the re-organisation of States, sub-division Jind of this district was transferred to Haryana on 01.11.1966.

• For Police administration, the State Govt. has divided District Sangrur into two Police District w.e.f. 16.12.91.

• As such Police District Barnala came into existence with Police Stations Barnala, Dhanaula, Tappa, Mehal Kalan, Sehna, Bhadaur and Sherpur.

Detail of Polling Stations/Booths (Type and Sensitivity wise)

   Sangrur-12Sangrur-12 Fatehgarh Fatehgarh Sahib-08Sahib-08 TotalTotal

11Total Number of Assembly Total Number of Assembly

ConstituenciesConstituencies 66 11 77

22 Total Number of Polling StationsTotal Number of Polling Stations 653653 132132 785785

33 Total Number of Polling BoothsTotal Number of Polling Booths 11041104 180180 12841284

44 Total Number of Rural Polling StationsTotal Number of Rural Polling Stations 513513 123123 636636

55 Total Number of Urban Polling StationsTotal Number of Urban Polling Stations 140140 99 149149

66Total No. of Hyper Sensitive Polling Total No. of Hyper Sensitive Polling

StationsStations 9797 66 103103

77 Total No. of Sensitive Polling StationsTotal No. of Sensitive Polling Stations 213213 2121 234234

88 Total No. of Ordinary Polling StationsTotal No. of Ordinary Polling Stations 343343 105105 448448

Objectives of Security Arrangements

• Ensure peaceful Election.

• Prevention of Electoral Malpractices.

• Ensure adequate Security cover to all contesting candidates.

• Ensure Smooth polling.

• Maintain law and order before, during and after the polling.

• Escort E.V.Ms from storage centres to polling stations and from polling stations to Strong Room/Counting Centre and guard them till the counting is over.

• Maintain law & order during counting of votes and after the declaration of results when victory procession of successful candidate is taken out.

• Have advance information about the planning of extremists and anti social elements and take preventive measures.

Methods to Achieve the Set objects

• By collection of intelligence (both criminal and political in advance).

• By deploying police parties at the polling stations to ensure smooth polling and escort E.V.Ms. during the transit from polling stations to the places fixed for the storage.

• By deploying patrolling parties in full strength in each Assembly constituency from the beginning of campaign.

• By deploying striking & Mobile reserves to supplement law and order and to guard the E.V.Ms

• Advance Security Liaison (ASL) were made during the visit of Z+ protectees with IB & State Intelligence.

• By making adequate police arrangements during Political Rallies, Nukkar meetings and Road Shows.

• By making adequate police arrangements during the counting and for the victory processions to be taken out by the successful candidate after the announcement of the result.

Uniqueness of Sangrur• Malerkotla being the only Muslim dominated & communal sensitive city in

Punjab, Special meetings & advance liaison with elders and respectables were conducted to raise the trust level among the people. No untoward incident occurred during this period despite high voltage campaign by Political Parties.

• Kissan Unions – Distt. is hub of Kissan Union activities of Punjab, Joginder Singh, President BKU (Ugrahan) is resident of District Sangrur.

• Liaison with other districts Like Fatehgarh Sahib and Barnala as AC-Amargarh and ¼ of AC-Mehal Kalan belongs to these districts .

• Counting of all the 9 Assembly Constituencies of District Sangrur and Barnala was done at one location with 5 Tier security cover.

• Security of Inter-State borders (co-ordination with Haryana Police – Distt Jind & Fatehabad):– Proper Nakas were installed in our territory during Haryana Lok-Sabha

Election Day on 10.04.2014– Reciprocately Haryana shows the same gesture and installed Nakas during

our Polling day i.e. 30.04.2014

Security Managements

• Nomination Period

• Campaign Period

• Voting Day

• Storage Pre Counting

• Final Counting

• Victory processions

Nomination Period

• Security Cover to all Contesting Candidates as per norm.

• Escort Vehicles fitted with Wireless System provided to the Candidates of Recognized Parties

• Adequate security arrangements under the direct supervision of one Gazzatted officer were made at RO office during filling of nominations

• ECI guidelines were strictly followed in respect of number of Vehicles and persons allowed to enter the premises of RO office.

Educating the Police Force & Public

• Distribution of 1500 pocket books regarding Do's and Don'ts (Punjabi & Hindi Version) to educate the Police force & PMF.

• Two district level training sessions conducted at Police Lines to make force aware of election related offences.

• Training at each PS and PP level to make the police personnel aware about the instructions of ECI and RP Act.

• Training sessions at camp location of Para Military Forces.

• Walk campaign organised with the co-ordination of Civil Administration at Sub-Division levels to aware the Masses to cast their votes without any fear. Special efforts were made to educate first time voters.

• Educated all the Arm Dealers to arrange Security Guards, CCTV Cameras for the safety of deposited Arms.

Campaigning Days

•3 Flying Squad Teams per Assembly Segment (Total-22)3 Flying Squad Teams per Assembly Segment (Total-22)

•3 Static Surveillance Teams per Assembly Segment 3 Static Surveillance Teams per Assembly Segment • ((Total-22 Static Surveillance TeamsTotal-22 Static Surveillance Teams ))

•Surprise Day & Night Nakas were also laid.Surprise Day & Night Nakas were also laid.

•Patrolling Parties Patrolling Parties • Cluster of VillagesCluster of Villages• Compatible with Civil Authorities Compatible with Civil Authorities • Provided Rope for “Q” management.Provided Rope for “Q” management.• Vehicles installed with PA System Vehicles installed with PA System • Provided Video Cameras Provided Video Cameras

Say NO to DRUGs & MONEY

Mohalla Meetings to Educate Mass for free & Fair Election

Co-ordination with Civil Authorities

Awareness Campaign for first time Voters with DC-cum-RO Sangrur

Awareness Campaign

Walk campaign organised with the co-ordination of Civil Administration at Sub-Division levels to aware the Masses to cast their votes without any fear.

Special efforts were made to educate first time voters

Election Related Books• A book containing Instructions issued by ECI got prepared & distributed

to officers of District Sangrur.

• Special booklet of 346 pages covering all the aspects of :-– Election related duties – Recoveries – Election related offences – General Election Instructions – Previous polling patterns – Previous Polling percentages – Deployment of force with mobile nos. of each and every person

deployed were mentioned – These booklets were supplied to Election Observers/DEO/ROs and

Senior Police Officers directly related with elections.

Release of Instructions Handbook

From Right to Left – S. Mandeep Singh Sidhu, SSP Sangrur, Sh. M Nanjunda Swami, IPS (DIG), Police Observer, Sh. Chanchal Kumar Tiwari, IAS, General Observer, Smt Kavita Singh, IAS Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur, & Sh. Pritam Singh Johal, ADC Sangrur

Instruction Book

for Punjab Policefor Punjab Police for PMFs for PMFs

Instruction BooksInstruction Books

Preventive Measures • Weapon Deposited

– 97.08%. Weapons deposited – Only houses at remote, alone places and Security Guards deployed at

Vital Installation were left untouched due to security reasons. – Not a single bullet was fired in Sangrur district during polling process.

• Preventive measures – Total 413 Kalandaras u/s 107/151 & 110 Cr.P.C. – 1167 persons bounded down for peaceful conduct during elections. – 23 cases were also registered for Election related offences.

• Cash Intercepted • Rs. 4,10,34,801/- • 7,800 Ponds • 71,818 Dollars • 1,500 Euros • Above amount of cash was intercepted, verified through Magistrates

and Income Tax officers and accounted for money was released after proper verification.

Total Number of Cases Registered = 251

NDPS ACT Intoxicant

Poppy Husk 1245 Kg 250 Gm Capsules 4330

Green Plants of Poppy 54 Kg 900 Gm Tablets 17708

Opium 6 Kg 950 Gm Syrup Bottles 664

Heroin 1 Gm Drug Powder 500 Gm.

Smack 145 Gm Liquor 250 Ml

Chars 1 Kg 10 Mg

Sulfa 1 Kg 156 Gm Excise Act

Bottles Liquor 23726Arms Act = 2 Pistols 6 cartridges Lahan & Working still 420 Kg & 1

Gambling Act = 1,30,715/- Spirit 36 Lt. 750 Ml

Recoveries during Election Period i.e. 05.03.14 to 30.04.14

48 Crucial Hours• Police Personnel from all the Units were withdrawn from their General

Duties to dispatch them to Polling Stations one day before the election. Resulting into vacuum of force at Ground Level.

• Special arrangements were made to cover the VACUUM, all the 14 GOs, 22 SHOs & 11 In-charge PPs were ordered to remain in their respective areas and lay surprise NAKAS for checkings.

• For close monitoring SP level officer were made Supervisor of 2 to 3 Sub-Divisions

• By managing the available force, all the GOs, SHOs and I/C PPs were provided with Tear Gas Squad and Video Camera Operators.

• Past experience was that bad elements tried to woo voters during this period by means of delivering liquor/ Monetary benefits, But with the active presence of force during this VACUUM period no such incident came into light and all the political parties were satisfied with these water tight security arrangements & there was not a single complaint from any contesting candidate.

Voting Day

• Total 23 Inter State Nakas Adjoining Haryana Area with the help of Haryana Police were laid.

• 33 District & City Sealing Points were covered. • 75 Patrolling Parties on Election days (1:4) • Wireless and Public Address System fitted vehicles were deployed for

patrolling • 3518 Police and PMF/SAP deployed for election duty (PMF-622, SAP-

1046)• Dedicated Control Room under the Supervision of Gazzetted Officer• Mobile Close User Group with Police Officer and PMF officers

Communication Plan of District Sangrur

Communication Diagram of PS/PPs of District Sangrur

Route/Zone Plan of District Sangrur

Proper utilization of Funds

• Govt. funds were used very judiciously, legally and sensibly

– Funds Allotted = Rs. 93,64,775/- – Funds Utilized = Rs. 57,60,487/- – Funds surrendered = Rs. 37,04,288/-

Security Arrangements at Counting Centre (Pre-Counting)

5 Tier Security Arrangement at Counting Centre and Reviewed on Regular Basis

Counting Center Security

• Single Counting Location of all the 9 Assembly Constituencies (Sangrur & Barnala) with :– 5 Tier security cover– Installed 21 CCTV Cameras– 220 Flood Lights– Dedicated Control Room– Separate Liaison room for Political Parties– Proper barricading – Fire Brigade Vehicles stationed – DFMDs at all Entry Gates – Fire extinguisher installed at entry gate of each Strong Room

• Day and Night checking by Gazetted Officers. • Only the Persons with valid entry cards were allowed to enter inside the

premises.• Route diversion and traffic regulated. • 2 Medical Team with Ambulance were stationed at counting location.• 1062 Police officers and officials deployed for counting duty i.e. 16.05.14

Commendation Certificates to PMF

Commendation Certificates given to all Para Military Force

Welfare of PMF/SAP/DP• Guest force was made comfortable by making below mentioned small-small

gestures, which resulted in better co-ordination and getting more force than Norms at ground level :

– Arrangement of proper Transportation & Accommodation for PMF/SAP/DP– 24*7 Power Supply was made available at Camps by arranging stand by Generators– Accommodation with proper water supply and ROs for drinking water arranged – Gazzetted officers were deputed to personally visit accommodation sites to look after the

welfare of guest force – Vegetables were provided at wholesale rates through Vegetable markets. – Pulses , wheat flour & other Grocery items were provided through Vapar Mandals at below the

market rates.– For entertainment and to make aware the force about latest NEWS, Dish/Cable connections &

LCDs were arranged by field officers by using their own personal contacts. – Medical facility on need basis provided with the co-ordination of local health authorities. – Fogger arranged through Municipalities to tackle the problem of mosquitos at camp locations

of the force. – Even BADDA KHANA was arranged at main camp of PMF/SAP where even RO Mrs Kavita

Singh, IAS, DC Sangrur was invited, senior officers having meal with them boosted the overall morale of force

Victory Procession • After the announcement of the result, Victory procession was held by the

winning candidate with his supporters – One GO along with 2 Reserves was deputed to secure the procession

from front and left side – One GO along with 2 Reserves was deputed to secure the procession

from rear and right side.– All concerned SHOs were also directed for the safe guard of

procession in their respective areas.

After the declaration of result, Incharge Police Gazetted officer of the concerned ACs with adequate force alongwith Executive Magistrates were directed to transport the voted EVMs and deposit them at RO Office, Sangrur with the equal importance.

Deposit of voted EVMs

CONSTITUENCY WISE VOTERS

Sno Name of Constituency Total Voters %age of Votes

Male Female Total

1 Lehra-99 82794 72524 155318 75%

2 Dirba-100 (SC) 90314 76815 167129 77.66%

3 Sunam-101 94595 84091 178686 81.60%

4 Malerkotla-105 75486 65994 141480 78.34%

6 Dhuri-107 79556 70897 150453 77.08%

5 Sangrur-108 89430 80424 169854 77.21%

7 Mehal Kalan-104 (SC) 20756 18535 39291 77.5%

8 Amargarh-106 (FGS) 79312 70652 149964 75.69%

Total 6,12,243 5,39,932 11,52,175 77.51%

Highest Polling Percentage in Punjab i.e.

77.51%

CommendationsW/DGP Punjab appreciated the work done by Sangrur Police

and awarded

DGP’s Commendation Disk to

Mandeep Singh Sidhu, SSP Sangrur.

• All GOs were given appreciation letters • All SHOs were given Class-I Certificates • Commendation Certificates were also awarded to all

PMF/SAP personnel.• 2560 police personnel of District Police Sangrur were

awarded with Commendation Certificates (CC-III)

Democracy Wins

Though after the declaration of results only one candidate

among all contesting candidates wins.

We can say with our heads high,

”Democracy wins” in

Sangrur District because of hard, tireless &

impartial working of SANGRUR POLICE TEAM

Presentation by

Mandeep Singh Sidhu, PPSSr. Superintendent of Police,

Sangrur, Punjab