DW BUREAU / chandigarh Punjab is all set for polls with the Office of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Punjab making all arrangements to ensure free, fair and peaceful elections in the state. Briefing the media, Chief Electoral Officer Dr S Karuna Raju informed that total State machinery is working round the clock to ensure peaceful, free and fair elections. He said that as many as 21499804 electorates including 11298081 Male, 10200996 Female and 727 Transgenders. There are 1304 candidates?1209 Male, 93 Women and Two Transgenders, are in fray in 117 constituencies, he added. He said that of total 1304 candidates-- 231 are from National Parties, 250 from State Parties, 362 from Unrecognised Parties, while 461 are Independent Candidates. He said that as many as 315 contesting candidates are with Criminal Antecedents. Dr Raju said that 24689 polling stations and 51 auxiliary polling stations have been established at 14684 polling station locations of which 2013 are identified as critical, while 2952 are vulnerable pockets. He informed that there would be 1196 Model Polling Stations, 196 Women Managed Polling Stations and 70 PwD managed polling stations. He said that webcasting of all the polling stations is being done. He said that as many as 28328 ballot units and 24740 EVM-VVPATs are being used in this election. There are six Assembly Constituencies including 52-Kharar, 59-Sahnewal, 61-Ludhiana South, 67-Payal, 110-Patiala Rural and 115-Patiala with two Ballot Units, he added. Divulging more information, the CEO said that apart from three Special State Observers, ECI has appointed 65 General Observers, 50 Expenditure Observers and 29 Police Observers, who are keeping close vigil. As many as 2083 sector officers have been deployed to assist polling parties, he added. He informed that 17 Assembly Constituencies in the state have been identified as Expenditure Sensitive. There are 117 Dispatch Centres and 117 Collection Centres, while 117 EVM Strong Rooms have been established at 67 locations in the state, he informed. He said that Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) including Potable Water, Tent & Chairs, at least one wheel chair at every polling station will be assured at every Polling Station. Beside this, every polling station will have COVID-19 material including Gloves, Sanitizer, Soap and Mask, while, Dustbin and Colour bags will be placed for disposal of COVID waste material. He said that food and refreshments will be provided to all the polling staff. Dr Raju also urged electors coming at polling stations to adhere COVID-19 protocols including wearing masks and maintaining social distance. He further informed that 444721 people of 80 years above age, 138116 PwD voters and 162 COVID-19 patients have been offered Form 12D for postal ballot facility. The CEO said that 348836 electors of 18-19 years age group would exercise their right of franchise this time and all District Administrations are taking adequate steps to motivate first time voters. He said that there are 509405 voters who are above the age of 80 voters, 109624 are service voters and 158341 are Persons with Disability (PwD) voters, while 1608 are NRI voters. He said that Welcome Kits have been issued to First Time Voters, while Voter Information Guides have been distributed to sensitise people about their voting rights. Dr Raju said that as many as 9966 GPS enabled vehicles are being used for election related duties. He said that over 5000 buses are being used to send polling parties to polling stations.Giving the briefing about law and order, Dr Raju said Election has said that Police parties deployed across the state have been conducting thorough search to check the flow of liquor, narcotics and money to ensure free and fair elections.The CEO said that all DCs, CPs and SSPs have been keeping strict vigil to check the incidents of distribution of liquor, narcotics and money for inducing the voters and raids would be conducted immediately on receiving information or complaints. He said that since the Model Code of Conduct came into force, various enforcement teams have seized valuables worth Rs 500.70 crores till February 18, 2022. He said that the Punjab Excise surveillance teams have seized 58.18 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 35.43 crore. Similarly, the enforcement wings have also recovered psychotropic substances amounting to Rs 368.60 crores besides confiscating unaccounted cash of Rs 32.52 crore, he added. Dr Raju said that as many as 3467 FIRs have been registered in the state from January 9, 2022 to February 18, 2022. He said of total 3467 FIRs, 93 are related to IPC, 22 under RP Act, 203 of Property Defacement, 40 COVID-19 related, 902 are related with NDPS, 2109 of Excise, 80 regarding Arms and 18 are others. (editor@dailyworld.in)