Security arrangements for the upcoming Umreth Assembly by-election in Gujarat’s Anand district underwent review on Monday. The State Director General of Police (DGP), K. L. N. Rao, led a high-level meeting to ensure a peaceful, fair, and transparent polling process. Rao, accompanied by senior police officials, assessed law and order preparations, deployment planning, and inter-agency coordination for the by-election.
The focus of the meeting was to maintain a secure environment throughout the electoral process. Discussions centered on deploying local police forces in coordination with Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) personnel across the constituency. The review also addressed the collection of licensed weapons and preventive measures against anti-social elements to minimize disruptions during polling.
Strict enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct was emphasized by the DGP. He instructed the district police administration to enhance checking at all checkpoints and conduct sustained “area domination” exercises in sensitive locations within the constituency to boost voter confidence and ensure visible security presence.
Rao highlighted the importance of technology in election security, directing officials to utilize drones for aerial surveillance and ensure the use of body-worn cameras by on-duty police personnel for transparent field operations. Additionally, arrangements for EVM strong rooms were scrutinized, with a focus on implementing a multi-layer security protocol and conducting regular inspections by senior officers.
Instructions were given for district control rooms to maintain continuous communication with all polling stations and to test communication systems in advance for a swift response mechanism in case of any untoward incident. Special attention was placed on sensitive polling stations, with senior officers instructed to personally inspect these sites and bolster security measures on the ground.
The cyber cell was put on high alert to combat misinformation, rumors, and content on social media that could disrupt the election process. Rao affirmed the commitment of the Gujarat Police to ensuring a secure environment for free, fair, and transparent elections. He urged voters in the Umreth constituency to cast their votes without fear in a peaceful atmosphere.
