Madikeri: “A total of 30 Rapid Response Teams (RRT) has been deployed to prevent the menace of elephants so that voters could exercise their franchise peacefully,” said Deputy Commissioner (DC) P.I. Srividya, who is also the District Election Officer.

Addressing a press meet here yesterday, Srividya said that 30 RRTs comprising Forest Department officials have been deployed in 30 places in the district where the menace of elephants are more and added that seven Range Forest Officers (RFO) have been appointed as Nodal Officers and five to eight staff members are  also included in the team for emergency services.

She further said that medical kits will be provided at each Polling Booth for the staff.

The District Election Officer said that any political person who is irrelevant to the Kodagu Assembly Constituency should leave the district within 48 hours before the polling day and instructions have been given to all Home-Stays and lodges in this regard. She warned on initiating legal action if the rules were violated. Srividya said that those who do not have Voter ID card but have their names in the voters’ list may produce any of the 12 documents such as Passport, Aadhaar card, etc., to the Polling Booth Officer and cast their votes.

ADC Satish Kumar, DFO Manjunath and others were present.