Thanjavur: At least 11 squads comprising six flying squads, an additional flying squad, three surveillance squads and a video surveillance squad have been formed to check the distribution of cash or gifts to voters in view of the upcoming elections to the Thanjavur Assembly constituency, collector A Annadurai said.

Briefing media persons today on the arrangements made by the district administration for the conduct of free and fair elections to the Thanjavur constituency, collector Annadaurai said that these squads would function round the clock on roster. Besides, a control room has been opened at the collector’s office, which will take calls from the public who can inform on breach of election model code of conduct on toll free numbers 1077 or 1800 425 8036, Annadurai said.

He said that a special service centre has now been set up at the office of the Revenue Divisional Officer in Thanjavur where political parties can apply and get permission through single window clearance for conducting public meetings and using vehicles for campaigns.

The collector said that at least 276 polling booths would be set up in view of Assembly elections. Of these, 17 polling stations have been identified as sensitive and polling at these sensitive booths will be webcast. There are 2,68,033 voters, comprising 1,29,913 male voters, 1,38,102 female voters and 18 transgenders, he said.

Earlier, the collector held discussions with revenue and police officials in connection with the arrangements to be made in the sensitive polling booths for the smooth conduct of elections. Among others, SP J Mahesh, District Revenue Officer P Chandrasekaran, Additional Superintendent of Police Kannan, Collector’s Personal Assistant (General) Jainullabuddin and tahsildar (election) Ramalingam participated.