Rajasthan witnessed a peaceful polling in 1145 polling stations spread across the three Assembly Constituencies today in Sahara (Bhilwara), Rajsamand (Rajsamand) and Sujangarh (Churu).
The number of polling stations has increased due to an increase in auxiliary polling booths on account of reduction of voters from 1500 to 1000 per booth in adherence with COVID Social Distancing guidelines.Details of three ACs are as follows:-
At every polling booth, AMF like drinking, water, waiting shed, toilet with water facility along with adequate light arrangements and suitable ramp were provided to the voters. Voter Information Slipshave been distributed to all the electors to facilitate ease of voting. Arrangements for the video guide for hearing and visually Impaired voters on Poll day had been made. Public Address Systems were working to guide the blind and infirm voters who turned up at the booths.Also, Volunteers were placed at every Polling Booth to assist PwD and Senior Citizens. 925 Wheel chairs and 137 Vehicles were pressed into service for the physically disabled voters.
Following the standard protocol for EVM-VVPAT, First Level Checking, Randomization& Commissioning was done in presence of political parties/ candidates. Mock polls had been conducted earlier and the result of EVM&VVPAT slips were correlated for complete drill.
As a hallmark of free & fair elections, live monitoring and webcasting of more than 10 % polling stations which also included critical & vulnerable polling booths, in compliance of ECI norms was done. It was a live streaming session wherein the CEO, DEOs, Observers could watch it & ensure a close watch on these specific polling booths. Various instructions for COVID compliance and resolution of poll related complaints were carried out with the use of Webcasting and Booth App technology.
The Expenditure Monitoring Teams led by 27 FST, 54 SST, 19 NAKAs, 6 VVT, 10 VST and 3 AT ensured to keep a vigil on any undue influence on fair and free voting. The Nodal departments like Police, Income Tax, Narcotics, Customs, Airports, Railways and banks had a major role to play.
In compliance of COVID-19 guidelines, Social Distancing is the panacea for pandemic. Intense SVEEP Campaigns were conducted for over a month to create awareness about voting with social distancing. Massive sanitization drives were conducted one day prior to poll and facilities like thermal scanning, hand sanitizers, face masks were made available at the Polling Booths. All the social distancing guidelines were adhered to and BLOs along with Volunteers ensured effective monitoring of the same. A transparent & vigilant mechanism for COVID safe, intimidation free and inducement free elections amidst tight security arrangements was ensured.A total of 7275 CAPF, SAPF and police forces were deployed and route marches in vulnerable pockets, regular point patrolling and other confidence building measures were carried out to reassure voters especially those belonging to the weaker sections of the society. Wherever, any complaints of machine replacement or other related grievances were found, the CEO ensured quick redressal through technology besides the Sector officers and Police officials.
