Voter Slip not a stand-alone proof: CEO
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 27 2022: In sync with the ECI discontinuing with Photo Voter Slip as a stand-alone identity proof with effect from February 28, 2019, voters shall require to produce one of the 12 identity documents approved by the commission, reminded Manipur Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Rajesh Agrawal.

Briefing the media at his office conference hall on Sunday, the CEO said EPIC card, Aadhaar Card, MNREGA Job Card, Passbooks with photograph issued by Bank/Post Office, Health Insurance Smart Card issued under the scheme of ministry of Labour, Driving License, PAN Card, Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, Indian Passport, Pension document with photograph, Service Identity Cards with photograph issued to employees by Central/State Govt/PSUs/Public Limited Companies and Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs are among the documents valid for casting the vote.

He informed that polling parties for all 1721 polling stations where elections would be held in the first phase have proceeded for their respective destinations.

In all, 381 polling stations in Singjamei, Yaiskul, Wangkhei and Churachandpur ACs will be manned by all women polling teams and one polling station in Saikot by PwD polling personnel.

Out of the total of 173 candidates including 15 female in fray for the first phase, 39 have criminal antecedents, informed the CEO, adding that BJP has fielded candidates in all the 38 constituencies while CPI has one, INC-35, NCP-6, NPP-27, JD(U)-28, LJP (Ram Vilas)-3, RPI (Athawale)-6, Shiv Sena-7, Kuki National Assembly-2, Kuki People's Alliance-2 and Independent-18.He also noted that arrangement for webcasting/videography have been made in all Polling Stations.

Adequate CAPF have been deployed in all polling stations.

In addition, micro-observers have been deployed in all critical polling stations.

Rajesh also informed that in order to ensure COVID safe election, adequate arrangements have been made in all polling stations, where ASHA and Anganwadi workers would also be engaged.

Marking of circles with minimum distance has been done to avoid crowding.

Besides, mask, glove, face shield, thermal scanners, PPE kit etc.

have been provided to polling parties.

Voters who are COVID positive or are under quarantine will be allowed to vote at the last hour between 3 PM to 4 PM.

On the accessibility front, he said provision for Pick up/Drop facilities for PwD and aged electors are made available with wheelchair facility.

Besides, two volunteers would be engaged in each polling station for assisting voters.

Voter Assistance Booth have also been set up in all polling stations.

Postal Ballots for service electors have also been issued to 13,274 electors electronically and 559 have been received till date.

The postal ballots will be received till March 3 before 8 am.

A total of 13067 voters on election duty have applied for postal ballot, while 2419 PBs received at the facilitation centre, the rest have been sent to the voters by post at their addresses.

Further, 906 postal ballots, have been cast by Pwd voters and 4968 cast by 80-plus voters in the absentee voter category.

For Essential services, 15 PBs issued and all PBs received.

The movement of EVMs are being tracked with the help of e-Traccar App which is embedded in the mobile phones of Polling personnel and Sector Officers.

Besides, a polling personnel will be able to report any sort of EVM malfunctioning or any untoward incident happening in the polling station.

This will enable the Returning Officer to take immediate corrective actions.

Booth App shall also be used to report two hourly report of voter turn-out by the polling team.

Control Rooms have been set up in all offices of returning officers, district election officers and CEO office, elaborated Rajesh.

Moreover, a voter will be able to know the queue waiting time in the polling station with the help of voter facilitator app which is available for download in google play store.

He also informed that in order to ensure free, fair and smooth election, certain restrictions have been imposed on poll day in the polling station premises.

Providing free conveyance to voters to and from the polling stations by a candidate/his agent is a corrupt practice and will strictly be forbidden.

As provided in Section 130 of Representation of the People Act, 1951, canvassing within polling station or any public or private place within a distance of 100 meters of a polling station is strictly prohibited.

Candidates shall also not set up booths within 200 metres of the polling booth.

State CEO then appealed to ah electors to come out and exercise their franchise fearlessly and out of free will on the poll day.

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