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Jaipur, Nov 10 (IANS) Voting for the Antah assembly by-election will be held on Tuesday from 7 am to 6 pm across 268 polling stations, with 2,28,264 voters – including 1,16,783 men, 1,11,477 women and four others – eligible to cast their votes.
Rajasthan Chief Electoral Officer Naveen Mahajan urged polling personnel to discharge their duties with confidence, coordination and efficiency to ensure free and fair elections.
He directed the officials to ensure all arrangements, conduct mock polls and report any problem immediately to the Sector Magistrate or Assistant Returning Officer for prompt resolution.
During the training session, election materials, EVMs and VVPATs were provided to all the polling parties.
Vehicles were allotted from designated counters and the teams left after verification at the checkpoints.
Mahajan appealed to all voters to ensure 100 per cent voting and stressed that voting is both a civic duty and the cornerstone of democracy.
He said that extensive voter awareness efforts have been made to encourage participation under the Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme.
The Election Commission has finalized all arrangements for free, fair and peaceful elections supported by comprehensive security measures.
A total of 3,077 police personnel, including CAPF units, have been deployed at sensitive polling stations.
Security will be strengthened by 12 quick response teams, 43 mobile units, 43 sector magistrates, 12 police supervision officers and 12 area magistrates.
Additionally, 13 inter-state and 5 inter-district check posts are operational for continuous monitoring.
Webcasting will be done at all polling stations, control rooms will be set up at the district headquarters and the office of the Returning Officer for 24-hour monitoring.
Each polling station will have jute bags to collect mobile phones and two volunteers to assist.
Arrangements for wheelchairs, baby cots and assistive devices have been made for disabled voters.
The ballot papers on EVMs will have photographs of the candidates for easy identification.
Five green polling stations – at Mahatma Gandhi Government Schools in Ratadiya, Sorsan, NTPC Road (Anta) and Siswali as well as Madrasa Anjuman Islamia Umavi in Mangrol – have been designated eco-friendly and will remain free from single-use plastic.
Ramps, drinking water and shady areas have been provided at all booths.
The polling stations will be managed by both women and persons with disabilities, ensuring inclusivity in the process.
A total of 1,240 personnel, including 268 polling teams and 29 reserve teams, will monitor the polling, supported by 41 micro-observers and 52 videographers.
Separate queues have been arranged for men and women, Anganwadi and Asha workers are assisting women voters.
As the District Election Officer said, apart from EPIC (Voter Identity Card), 12 alternative identity documents will be accepted for voting.
–IANS
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