Elaborate arrangements for polls in Udupi-Chikmagalur

District Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati said that elaborate arrangements have been made to ensure smooth conduct of polls in Udupi-Chikmagalur constituency on April 18.

She told mediapersons on Tuesday that there are 15,13,231 voters in the eight
Assembly constituencies in both Udupi and Chikkamagaluru districts.

She said, 38,503 male, 7,74,674 female and 54 other voters will exercise their voters in this election. There are 1,837 polling stations in the constituency and 865 polling booths are located in the four Assembly constituencies in Udupi district, she added.

Elaborating on the Sakhi booths, the DC said that 20 all-women booths will work in four Assembly constituencies.

She said two disable-friendly and one ethnic polling station have been identified. Also, Braille script has been provided with the machines.

There are 996 PROs and APROs, 1,972 third and fourth polling officers, 952 D Group staffers with 1,367 security personnel and 206 micro observers. Voter slips have been distributed to 95% of the voters, she explained.

Korlapati maintained that in the past one week, there were many complaints against the violation of election code of conduct.

The vehicles installed with GPS were used for mustering and demustering work. As many as 155 buses, 21 minibuses, 47 maxi cabs, 13 jeeps and eight Lorry containers will be used. The mustering and demustering works will be carried out at St Cecily School in Udupi, she added.

The polling station is equipped with 1,379 ballot units, 1280 control units and 1,477 VVPATs. Two each BEL engineers will be in charge of the technical aspect. Twenty per cent of the polling equipment is kept in reserve. The final randomisation will be done on Wednesday. Seventy-five teams, comprising flying squads, static surveillance, the release of cash, video viewing, video surveillance and sector officers will keep a strict vigil, she maintained.

She said 575 service voters are sent the polling letter through ETPBS (Electronic transmission Poll Ballot System).

As many as 222 cases have been received through C-Vigil App. Section 144 has been imposed from 6 pm on April 16 to 6 am on April 19. In all, 54 web cameras, 15 videographers, 21 CAPF and 178 micro observers have been deployed, she said.