Polls 10 days away, but none knows where to cast votes

There are just 10 days to go for the Council polls from the six teachers’ and graduates’ constituencies and the voters have no clue where they are supposed to cast their votes.

Like the previous years, there is complete confusion over details of the polling stations, as the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) is yet to hear from the Election Commission (EC), which has to approve the voting centres proposed by the former.

Congress candidate Ramojam said that with the voters being kept in the dark about the polling stations, the prospects of votes being cast were bleak. With the EC not giving the required information on time, it is left to the candidates to ensure that the voters are informed about the polling centres.

CPM candidate K S Lakshmi said the last time too the candidates faced several difficulties.
“The last time, the EC acted only after the candidates demanded that it address the problems,” she said.

T Shamaiah, joint chief electoral officer, said the list of polling stations had been sent to New Delhi for approval and the formal list would be put up on the website in a day or two. He said his office had followed the calendar of events prepared by the EC.

Since the voters’ list and polling stations get changed every six years, it leads to the delay.

The Council polls - which give “educated” voters (teachers and graduates) an opportunity to exercise their franchise - need to gain popularity, especially among women.

Like most Bangaloreans, Rekha C S, Chief Manager, SBM, is unaware of how and why these elections are held. “Most of us do not even know why this election is conducted or why a certain candidate gets elected. Unlike the general elections, this election is not popular,” she said.

The banker said given a choice, she would not exercise her franchise. “Like most urban voters, I am worried about what will happen to my vote. Also many times, I am not convinced about the candidate.”

Rekha feels that the Election Commission should introduce online voting, and set up booths in big centres like her bank premises, where a large number of voters can cast their votes.

Registered voters

* Bangalore Graduates - 1,10,565; M – 73,241; F – 37,324 (33.75%)
* South Teachers – 22,062; M – 14,757; F – 7,305 (33.11%)
* South West Teachers – 15,888; M - 10,424; F – 5,464 (34.39%)
* South East Teachers – 23,762; M – 17,333; F – 6,429 (27.05%)
* North East Graduates – 99,141; M – 75,286; F – 23,855 (24.06%)
* South West Graduates – 57,237; M – 39,313; F – 17,924 (31.31%)