Every arrangement in place for phase 2 polling tomorrow

25 Apr 2024: The Election Commission of India is all geared up for phase 2 of the Lok Sabha polls that commences tomorrow. With weather conditions predicted to be within normal ranges, voters can cast their votes comfortably. For convenience for voters, meticulous arrangements have been made at all polling stations including facilities, to deal with hot weather conditions.

Polling is scheduled in 88 Constituencies across 13 States/UTs. It may be recalled that polling for 29-Betul PC in Madhya Pradesh was rescheduled in the third phase due to the death of a candidate from the Bahujan Samaj Party. The remaining 5 phases of polls will continue till the 1st of June with the counting of votes scheduled for 4th June. Polling for 102 seats in phase 1 was completed smoothly and peacefully on 19th April.

The Election Commission has called upon voters to turn in greater numbers at polling stations and vote with responsibility and pride.

Phase 2 Facts

Polling for Phase-2 of the General Elections 2024 will be held i.e., 26th of April, 2024 for 88 Parliamentary Constituencies (General- 73; ST- 6; SC-9) in 13 States/ UTs. Voting begins at 7AM and ends at 6 PM (Closure of Poll timings may differ PC-wise)

Polling time was extended till 6 PM in many polling stations in Banka, Madhepura, Khagaria and Munger constituencies in Bihar to facilitate voters in hot weather conditions. For more details:

Over 16 lakh Polling officials will welcome over 15.88 crore voters across 1.67 lakh polling stations

Voters include 8.08 crore Males; 7.8 crore Females and 5929 gender electors.

34.8 lakh first-time voters are registered to cast their votes. Additionally, there are 3.28 crore young voters in the age group 20-29 years.

1202 candidates (Males - 1098; Females-102; third gender – 02) are in the fray.

There are over 14.78 lakh registered 85+ years old, 42,226 voters above 100 years and 14.7 lakh PwD voters for phase 2 who have been provided the option to vote from the comfort of their homes. The optional Home Voting facility is already receiving tremendous appreciation and response.

3 Helicopters, 4 Special trains and nearly 80,000 vehicles have been deployed to ferry polling and security personnel.

Webcasting will be done in more than 50 % of the polling stations along with deployment of micro-observers in all polling stations. Webcasting is being done in over 1 lakh polling stations.

251 Observers (89 General Observers, 53 Police Observers, 109 Expenditure Observers) have already reached their Constituencies days before the polls. They serve as the eyes and ears of the Commission to exercise utmost vigilance. Additionally, Special Observers have been deployed in certain states.

A total of 4553 Flying Squads, 5731 Static Surveillance Teams, 1462 Video Surveillance Teams and 844 Video Viewing Teams are keeping surveillance round the clock to strictly and swiftly deal with any form of inducement of voters.

A total of 1237 inter-state and 263 international Border check posts are keeping strict vigil on any illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash and freebies. Strict surveillance has been kept at sea and air routes.

Voter awareness and facilitation measures have been further geared up for higher turnout of voters.

Assured Minimum Facilities like water, shed, toilets, ramps, volunteers, wheelchairs, and electricity are in place to ensure that every voter, including elderly and persons with disabilities, can cast their vote with ease. Special attention has been given to measures to deal with hot weather conditions.

Around 4195 Model polling stations are being set up across the 88 PCs with local themes. More than 4100 Polling stations will be completely managed by women including security staff and at over 640 Polling stations by Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).

Polling stations in all States/UTs except Bihar and Kerala have less than 1000 average electors per polling station. Bihar it is 1008 and in Kerala it is 1102 electors per polling station.

Voter Information Slips have been distributed to all registered voters. These slips serve as a facilitation measure and also as an invitation from the Commission to come and vote.

Voters can check their polling station details, and poll date through this link https://electoralsearch.eci.gov.in/

The Commission has also provided 12 alternative documents other than Voter id card (EPIC) for identity verification at polling stations. If a voter is registered in the electoral roll, voting can be done by showing any of these documents. Link to ECI order for alternative identification documents:   

1. Text-to-vote

2. SMS polls

3. Audience engagement

4. Feedback collection

5. Real-time results

6. Cost-effective

7. Easy setup

8. Keywords for polls

9. Polling examples

10. Poll creation process.

Citations:

[1] https://simpletexting.com/features/text-to-vote/

[2] https://clearstream.io/blog/new-feature-polls

[3] https://youtu.be/nKFZdlWSKBU?si=cKWA_1_4x8p79vo8

[4] https://www.bodonews.info/2024/04/president-of-india-presents-padma.html

[5] https://www.bodonews.info/2024/04/assam-7138-estimated-poll-turnout-in.html