88,127 first-timers to exercise franchise in LS poll on May 19

SHIMLA: A total of 88,127 first-time voters and 59 third gender persons in the state will cast vote in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, even as inclement weather conditions continue to pose a challenge for the Election Department to make arrangements, especially in snow-bound area, for the polling here on May 19.

Photo for representational purpose only.

Tribune News Services

Shimla, March 11

A total of 88,127 first-time voters and 59 third gender persons in the state will cast vote in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, even as inclement weather conditions continue to pose a challenge for the Election Department to make arrangements, especially in snow-bound area, for the polling here on May 19.

Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Devesh Kumar said a total of 51.59 lakh voters would cast their votes in the state on May 19. “The weather this year has been exceptionally bad. I am in constant touch with the Public Works Department and all DCs to have all roads cleared, besides ensuring the opening of the Rohtang and Saach Pass,” he said.

Efforts were on to ensure that all passes and roads were clear so that poll parties could reach their destinations on time. According to ADGP (law and order) Shyan Bhagat Negi, all arrangements to ensure free, fair and smooth elections had been made. “A total of 12,500 state police personnel, 6,500 home guards and 42 Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) companies will be deployed to ensure violence-free elections,” said Negi.

The ADGP said 367 booths had been placed under the critical category while 950 had been declared vulnerable.

An expenditure of Rs 75 crore was expected to be made on the elections in the hill state. The expenditure limit for the contesting candidate was Rs 70 lakh.

A total of 45,725 polling staff would be on duty and there would be surveillance of the use of social media by political parties and candidates.

The CEO said the number of total voters had gone up from 50.25 lakh in the 2017 Assembly elections to 51.59 lakh for the 2019 parliamentary poll.

“All 7,723 polling booths will have EVMs with the VVPAT facility. Two all-women booths will be there in each of the 68 Assembly segments,” he said.

He said webcasting would be done from 773 polling booths only. Besides this, 206 flying squads, 13 model code of conduct committees and 70 video surveillance teams would keep a check on cash and liquor flow, especially at 99 inter-state barriers. “We will ensure strict adherence to ensure that there is no sound pollution between 10 pm and 6 am and also no use of plastic banners or publicity material as it is environmentally degrading,” he said.

The CEO said all polling booths would be made disabled friendly, but anyone can ask for a wheel chair by sending in a prior request on the app concerned.