Training session begins for govt staff assigned to poll duty

Chennai: Public election department on Tuesday started training session for government staff assigned on poll duty in three assembly constituencies. Five companies of paramilitary staff, general observers and police observers will start arriving from Friday, CEO Rajesh Lakhoni told reporters.

Police had been directed to provide a three-tier security cover for the strong rooms at the counting centres. Each company of central paramilitary forces will have about 40 armed personnel and they will arrive 10 days ahead of elections. Poll expenditure observers have already started their routine work and additional general observers are expected on Wednesday.

The election department is regularly collecting the reports from district election officers, poll observers, bank officials to monitor the movement of cash and income tax department, the CEO said.   

The date for scrutiny of nomination is on Thursday (November 3) and the last date for withdrawal of candidatures is on November 5. The polling is scheduled on November 19, followed by counting of votes on November 22. Election commission of India has fixed November 24, as the final date, before which election shall be completed.