All set for polling in Warangal today: Bhanwar Lal

Elaborate arrangements have been made for smooth and fair conduct of polling in Warangal for Parliamentary Constituency on November 21 from 7 am to 5 pm.

This was stated by Chief Electoral Officer Bhanwar Lal at a press conference at Secretariat here. There was no complaint on code violation so far, he said, adding that a total of 96 per cent of voter slips have been distributed among the voters. “While 76 per cent polling was recorded in 2014 elections, this time we expect more turnout”, he said. Bhanwar Lal asked voters, who come first to the polling stations will be felicitated for using their democratic right. So far, Rs 2 crore cash and 5,000 liters of liquor were seized for violating the code of conduct and details will be given later. Sale of liquor was banned in the Warangal parliamentary segment from November 19, from 5 pm to November 21 till 5 pm and violation will attract serious action. The EC will closely watch the voting pattern through live web casting.

The voters can exercise their franchise voluntarily and freely without any fear to any one of 23 persons on EVM or else choose NOTA, he stated. A total of 15,09,671 voters, including 7,57,231 males, 7,52,293 females and 147 third gender people are to participate in the voting in 1,778 polling stations with adequate staff. He said the EC will take serious action on violation of the code and people can call without fear at toll-free number 180042522747 and SMS to 8790499899.

He also said the Election Commission engaged 8000 polling staff, 800 students with own laptops to assist voting process, while live video web casting will be done in 626 polling stations. Tight security measures are in place by deploying 10,000 police personnel, including 2000 Central paramilitary at the seven segments going to poll with additional security at Naxal- infested Bhupalapally area. (NSS)