Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Apr 24: “There are 405 micro-polling booths in the Udupi-Chikkamagaluru constituency, with 203 in Udupi and 202 in Chikkamagaluru. A CAPF team has been assigned to all these polling booths. Additionally, webcasting has been arranged for 1,270 polling booths,” said deputy commissioner (DC) and district election officer Dr Vidyakumari.
She further stated, "All activities will be inspected at the Delhi and Bangalore offices of the commission. We have made necessary preparations for the district-wide elections. Additional check posts have been opened at Nejaru, Haladi, and Kundapur. CAPF personnel have been allocated for 1,270 polling booths, with 1,459 micro-observers assigned to polling booths, and video recording systems set up in 18 polling booths.
“Voter slips have been distributed to 97% of households. Although there is an option to obtain voter slips through mobile phones, they are not permitted inside the polling booth, making a physical slip necessary. A total of 4,120 officers/staff, including PROs, APROs, and POs, have been deployed. Special security measures have been implemented for the mustering rooms. Open campaigning will end at 6 pm on April 24. Due to the ban in force, no more than 5 people can gather in a group for door-to-door campaigning on April 25.
“Mustering procedures will commence on the morning of April 25. After lunch, staff will proceed to their polling booths with the EVMs. All vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking. Alongside 260 buses and general vehicles, there will be 162 sector officers' vehicles. An additional EVM will be provided. On the day of the election, staff/officers will come to the mustering center with all the voting machines in Udupi. EVMs from Chikkamagaluru will arrive the following day.
“So far, liquor worth 94.67 lac, drugs worth 1.10 lac, including T-shirts, pants, and sap tools, and items worth Rs 3.68 lac have been seized. Rs 14.92 lac in cash were seized at Hejmady and Shiroor check posts.
“As many people come to town on the election day, some may abstain due to sudden increases in bus fares. This is likely to reduce voter turnout. Therefore, a letter has been written to the bus owners of the coastal long route (especially Bengaluru-Udupi) urging them not to increase fares for the benefit of voters,” she said.