New applications for monitoring Howrah Lok Sabha bypoll

The Election Commission will for the first time use GIS-SMS based poll monitoring system, android-based counting application and Live Monitoring of Sensitive Area (LMSA) in the June 2 Howrah Lok Sabha bye-election.
The GIS-based poll monitoring system would be used for rural areas to capture images and LMSA for Howrah town, with a video camera on a vehicle being used for the first time, Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta told reporters here today.
All polling stations would be covered by digital cameras and video cameras and Micro Observers, the CEO said adding, high resolution digital cameras would be installed in each booth.

The bye-election would be held in 1,851 polling stations with tight security provided by central forces and state armed police.
"Each and every polling booth will be covered by an armed guard," he said.
Without disclosing the strength of the central forces, he said, "We have adequate number of central forces. They have started route march and area domination in some areas," Gupta said.

A total of 7,404 polling personnel have reached their places of duty, he said.
Two General Observers Vijay Bahadur Singh and I Anwarudeen, besides an Expenditure Observer Ranjit Kumar, have arrived here, Gupta said.
There are 13 contestants, including from Congress, Trinamool Congress and CPI(M), besides seven independents.

Polling would begin at 7 am and end at 6 pm, two hours more than the normal schedule.
"The Commission has given an hour extra in each session this time because of inclement weather in the state," Gupta said.
As a preventive measure, 973 non-bailable warrants have been executed in the constituency, 1,861 arrests made and unlicensed and licensed arms seized.
"The licensed arms will be returned after the election is over," he added.