Bhubaneswar: The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India Rajiv Kumar today said that webcasting will be done at 22,685 polling stations out of total of 37,809 in Odisha during the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.
Addressing a press conference, Kumar said elaborate arrangements have been made for a smooth conduct of the polls in a free and fair manner.
The commission is well prepared to hold the election in the State he, said.
He directed the District Election Officers and SPs to take adequate measures to ensure a hassle-free election.
Kumar said that general voters can lodge complaint regarding violence or any other illegal activities at polling booths through C-Vigil App. The election team will respond within 100 minutes. People can make complaints on condition of anonymity.
There are a total 1.68 crore male voters, 1.64 crore female voters and 3,380 third gender voters in the State out of total 3.32 crore electors in Odisha.
As many as 4.7 lakh First Time voters have been added. The gender Ratio in the 18-19 age groups has increased from 739 to 837 this time, Kumar informed.
Adequate arrangements will be made for the physically challenged and elderly electors. They will be assisted by volunteers with wheelchair facilities.
They can avail free transportation on the day of the election. Polling booths will be set up in the ground floor for them. They can also avail home Voting Facility.
The Election Commission has targeted to increase the Voter Turnout Rate in 59 Assembly constituencies which had witnessed the Voter Turnout Rate (VTR) below the State Average in 2019.
Kumar said that ECI has made it mandatory for political parties to upload detailed information on their websites/ social media platforms. Candidates with criminal antecedents will make people aware of them through advertisements on TV and in newspapers.
The EC has directed to enforcement Agencies to take strict action against use of money power during elections and dry up the inflow and distribution of liquor, Cash, Freebies, and drugs.
Strict action against liquor kingpins will be taken.
The agencies have been asked to keep strict vigil over illicit online cash transfers through wallets and monitor airstrips and helipads in the state.
The enforcement agencies will identify warehouses/godowns used for stockpiling liquor /freebies
The forest department will keep check over locally made illicit liquor and strict vigil over forest routes
All Enforcement agencies will work in a cohesive and coordinated manner, the chief poll office said.
The Commission also directed the DEOs and SPs to ensure three-tier security at district EVM-VVPAT warehouses at all times. Steps will be taken to ensure proper sealing of EVMs.
All DEOs have been directed to provide Form 17C to the polling agents of candidates present at polling stations.
Observers will be deployed during elections, Kumar informed.
Paid news and candidates using their own news publications/channels for campaigning would be watched and added towards election expenses.
Kumar made it clear that government machinery and funds cannot be used for the promotion of a party through events and advertisements.
