Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi(HB/UM)

Udupi, Mar 7: Udupi deputy commissioner Hephsiba Rani spoke about the voter campaigns and preparations in the district, in the backdrop of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

At her first press meet held at DC conference hall on Thursday, March 7, she spoke on the initiatives of Election Commission and their focus on enrolling eligible voters with special focus on young voters and first timers. “A special enrollment campaign was conducted on March 2 and 3 in Udupi,” she told media persons.

The DC said that the physical verification of all polling stations in the district has been conducted and necessary facilities are being made. “We have made arrangements for drinking water, electricity, furniture, toilets and food for polling duty officials at polling booths. The EC is ready to provide other facilities like ramp, walker, wheel chairs and other necessary equipment,“ she said.

“The total voters in Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency are 9,90,773 out of them 4,77,243 are males, 5,13,514 are females and 16 belong to other category. There are 1,111 polling stations in the district. Out of 16,525 young voters registered, 6584 are physically challenged,” she informed.

“Of the polling stations, 255 are identified as critical, 37 as vulnerable. A special security system will be provided for these booths. The required EV ballot unit, VVPAT and control units are kept in security room. There are 1669 ballot units, 1348 control units and 1584 VVPAT machines available in the district,” the DC said.

Five electoral officers have been appointed for five assembly constituencies - Kusumadhar Gouda, DDLR for Byndoor, Dr S S Madhukeshwar AC for Kundapur, Kempegowda, and joint agri-director for Udupi, Santhosh for Karkala and L Nagraj for DD of Food.

DC Hephsiba Rani said that two meetings have been conducted before the implementation of election code of conduct in the state and teams for monitoring election duties are formed, such as:

·Nodal officer of Model Code of Conduct (MCC)

·Complaint management committee

·Vehicle management committee

·Training management nodal officer

·Election expenses management committee

·Sector officers - 92

·Flying squads - 45

·Static surveillance team - 7

·Video surveillance team - 15

·Video viewing team- 5

·Assistant expenditure observers-7

·Police sector officers-138

·Excise inspecting squad-5

ECI has developed an app called cVigil to work for free and fair elections. The app offers its users a fast-track complaint reception and redressal option. The toll free number is 1950 and will be available 24*7. Another app ‘Chunavana’ offers all details and confirmation of people’s voter ID cards. The district EC has completed 100% distribution of epic cards, the DC informed.

Enrolling of new voters, deletion of names will be kept till the day before the nomination “We are following instructions of ECI and are committed to duty. We are making arrangements to provide people friendly atmosphere,” Hephsiba Rani said.

ADC Vidya Kumari was present.