To ensure the BMC Election 2026is fair and transparent, the civic body has deployed 148 flying squads and 181 static surveillance teams. Gagrani has asked all staff to stay alert, act responsibly and take quick action against any violations of the MCC, according to a report by Free Press Journal.
Static surveillance teams are positioned at key checkpoints to prevent the illegal movement of cash, liquor and weapons meant to influence voters. Meanwhile, flying squads are patrolling various wards to keep an eye on suspicious activities, inducements and possible MCC violations.
Rs 3.1 Cr cash, narcotics worth over Rs 44 Cr seized
Over the last 20 days, since the Model Code of Conduct came into effect for the BMC elections, officials have seized Rs 3.1 crore in cash, 55 kg of narcotic substances worth Rs 44 crore and 1,237 litres of alcohol valued at Rs 8.3 lakh during patrolling drives. The civic body has also filed 16 non-cognisable and 13 cognisable cases linked to election activities, the BMC said on Monday, according to a report by Mid-Day.
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At the briefing, BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagranisaid the civic body has received 140 PADU (Printing Auxiliary Display Unit) machines, which will serve as backup if any technical issue arises during the vote-counting process, the report mentioned.
According to the State Election Commission, voting units must be connected to the main control unit during counting. “If there is an emergency or a technical error in connecting the voting units, the PADUs will be used as backup,” Mid-Day quoted Gagrani as saying.
Additionally, EVMs have two main parts – the voting unit and the control unit. The voting unit must be linked to the control unit when votes are counted, a senior official from the election department told the news outlet.
More polling locations set up
This year, the BMC has set up 2,600 polling locations – 300 more than those used during the October 2024 Assembly elections. Through these additional polling locations, BMC aims to reduce congestion on the roads and at polling centres.
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The BMC also urged voters not to carry mobile phones inside polling stations. “If someone does bring a phone, it must be switched off,” an official told the outlet. |
