Special booths for women, disabled

Tribune News Service
Patiala, May 18

As Patiala goes to poll tomorrow from 7 am to 6 pm in the final phase of Lok Sabha elections, the district administration here today has assured that all preparations to conduct free and fair elections had been made. 

As many as 1,922 polling parties with EVM machines and other election material have already reached as many polling stations. 

The District Electoral Officer (DEO)-cum-Deputy Commissioner, Kumar Amit, said presiding officers, assistant presiding officers, and polling officers had already reached their respective polling booths by Saturday evening. 

As many as 17.34 lakh voters in the nine blocks of the district will exercise their right to vote in the biggest festival of democracy.

Total voters include 8.24 lakh female, 9.9 lakh male, 74 registered transgenders and 7,250 physically challenged voters. 

The administration will provide transport facility for the physically challenged voters as per the guidelines of the Election Commission of India (ECI). 

The DEO said the administration had set up a special booth in each block of the district dedicated to women and physically challenged voters. Forty two model booths had also been set up in the district, he added. 

A day before Patiala goes to poll, the DEO, Kumar Amit, appealed to voters through social media for a record turnout on Sunday. He said, “I appeal to electors to come out of their homes and exercise their right to vote to strengthen the democracy.”

Poll stats 

• Candidates in fray: 25
• Total booths in district: 1,922 
• Total voters: 17, 34, 245 
• Male voters: 9, 09,497
• Female voters: 8, 24, 764
• Transgenders: 74
• Physically challenged: 7,250