Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Mar 28: Deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis on Tuesday, March 27 informed that as many as 9,78,503 will exercise their franchise this state assembly elections.

Addressing media at the deputy commissioner's office she said, “As the Election Commission of India has already declared the polling dates in Karnataka for assembly elections, the code of conduct comes into effect immediately. The date of issue of gazette notification is April 17 and the last date to file nominations is April 24. The scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 25 and the last date for withdrawal is April 27. The date of counting the poll is May 15 and the date before which the election shall be completed is May 18.

“The final list of voters has been announced on February 28 of five assembly constituencies in the district. Out of the total 9,78,503 voters in the constituencies, 4,70,730 are men, 5,07,754 are women and 19 come under others category. The total number of polling booths is 1,078. A proposal has been sent to the election commission to install 24 additional polling booths and another proposal has been sent for installing 25 auxiliary polling booths.

“In view of the upcoming elections, the election officer and an assistant election officer have been appointed for each constituency who will manage the election duties. As many as 1,103 PROs, 1,103 APROs and 3,309 POs will be required for the suffrage.

“People whose names have been missed out can add on to the new voters list or make necessary changes if required. Public should make use of this benefit.

“The election commission has given specific privilege to specially challenged, pregnant women, and patients for casting their votes. A separate pass called ‘priority pass’ will be issued. They will get special privilege at the booth. Adequate steps have been taken to provide wheel chairs and ramp wherever required. Around 8,054 physically challenged voters have been identified in different booths.

“In this election, the VV Pat Machine will be installed so that each voter can get to know to whom he has voted. The commission has conducted awareness camps to demonstrate VVPAT to public with the help of local bodies.

“Special polling booths will be installed for women; one each in five assembly constituencies in the district. EC had instructed that all the staff and security personnel involved in these polling booths be women.

“As the election code of conduct demands, the cut-outs, banners and boards put in public and private places should be removed within 24 hours. It is mandatory that organizations take prior permission from the police department for using sound system from 6 am to 10 pm.

“In order to organize the electoral process, a video surveillance room, flying squad, video viewing room, accounting expenditure team, statistics team, MCC nodal officer and media certification and monitoring commission (MCMC) teams has been set up.

“The commission will also monitor the messages on social media like twitter, facebook and other media. If any type of discrepancies is found, suitable actions will be taken based on the guidelines of ECI,” she said.

A separate cell has been open in Deputy Commissioner's office to receive electoral complaints. Complains can be registered using the toll free number 1077 and on 0820-2574920, 2574991.

Shivananda Kapasi, CEO of zilla panchayat and Anuradha, additional deputy commissioner were present.