Bhubaneswar: Polling for the November 3 by election to Dhamnagar Assembly (SC) constituency will commence from 7 AM till 6 PM after a mock poll at 5.30 AM
Chief Electoral officer S K Lohani told newsmen here on Wednesday that a two-hourly voting
turnout will be released for information of the public.
Lohani said about 2,38,417 Voters consisting of 1,23,038 males, 1,15,346 females and 33 Trans genders will exercise their franchise spread over 252 booths to elect the candidate of their choice.
The voters, he said, can produce any of the 12 Alternative Photo Identity Documents recommended by the Election Commission of India to establish their identity and exercise their franchise.
Out of 252 booths there are single booths in 120 locations, double booths in 54 locations, triple booths in 5 locations, 4 booths each at one location and 5 booths each at one location in the constituency.
Based upon the field inputs, 110 sensitive booths have been identified. Special arrangements are being done for such booths, the CEO said. Web casting has been planned in 126 booths .
Lohani said 25 Micro Observers will be deployed and extra CAPF deployment will be done in appropriate locations.
Superintendent of Police, Bhardak has been entrusted upon to look into the Law & Order and proper security during the by election process.A total of 997 Police Personnel including Officers, Armed Police, Havildar, Constables and Home guards and 4 companies of CAPF have been deployed for the smooth conduct of the Poll.
The CEO said all preparedness for the Poll has been completed. Polling Parties, EVMs, Election materials, Security arrangements – all are in place.A total of 1008 Polling Officers were deployed and 100 Polling Officers kept under reserve for the poll.
He said the Collector, S.P. and Returning Officer have been instructed to ensure that all Political party workers, star campaigners and candidates who are not voters leave the constituency area during the silent period which came into force from 6 AM on Tuesday.
The CEO said exit polls have been banned during the poll day, from 7 AM to 6.30 PM .
Dry day has also been declared 48 hours before the polling started . Sale or distribution of liquors or the substances of similar nature in hotels, restaurants, shops or any other place have been banned during the period.
Canvassing within 100 meters of the polling booth has been banned and the CEO warned that violators can be arrested without warrant u/s-130 of R.P.Act-1951.
Braille Dummy Ballot papers have been made available with each Presiding Officer for helping visually challenged voters.The Poll day is declared as paid holiday for all the government
employees as well as private employees who are voters in the constituency.
Lohani said special arrangements for transportation of PwD voters from their houses to booths
and back have been made. This apart ramps, separate queue, volunteers with wheelchairs have
been arranged at each booth to help the PWD voters to cast their ballots without any difficulty
The CEO said as many as 15 model booths with facilities like ramp, temp. shed, separate queues, drinking water, volunteers for P w D and senior citizens will be in operation on the Poll day.
He said five Pink booths especially in urban areas totally manned by trained lady Polling Officers
will be opened.
