As voting for the first phase of elections across 21 states and union territories for 102 seats begins. The ECI which prepares for general elections one or two years in advance is all set to welcome voters. People across the states are celebrating this biggest festival of democracy by flaunting their inked fingers on social media.
This time, the Commission also reaffirms its unwavering commitment to holding a poll that is free, fair, peaceful, accessible, interactive, and devoid of coercion. In order to provide Indian voters with the best experience possible. The Commission and its teams in all the states and union territories have worked extremely hard during the past two years. They are conducting the polls after carefully deliberating, evaluating, conducting field trips, providing deep training to the officials, and after developing new, timely operational methods. Collaboration with a wide range of national agencies and organisations has also been a part of it.
Voter Facilitation-
In this Lok Sabha Phase one elections, which is set to welcome over 16.63 crore voters across 1.87 lakh polling stations. There are over 3 crore young voters (20-29 years old) and over 35 lakh first time voters. The ECI has come up with the following innovative measures to make the voting process easier and smooth for all-
- There are over 14.14 lakh registered above 85 years old around 13.89 lakh PwD voters in 102 PCs. This time they have been provided the option of Home Voting Facility.
- They will be provided with pick up and drop facility, braille signage on EVM, volunteers etc. The wheelchair facility is also being provided via the ECI Saksham App.
- Assured Minimum Facilities are in place to guarantee that every voter, including the elderly and those with disabilities, can easily cast their ballot. These amenities include water, a shed, restrooms, ramps, volunteers, wheelchairs, and electricity.
- Using regional themes, 102 PCs are being used as model voting places.
- Over 5000 polling stations, will be entirely run by women, while over 1000 polling stations will be staffed by people with disabilities (PwDs).
- All registered voters have received voter information slips. These slips are both an official invitation from the Commission to cast a vote and a facilitation measure.
- This time voters who are registered in the electoral roll can cast their votes by showing any of the 12 alternative document apart from the voter ID.
For a Peaceful Voting Experience-
- To ensure the security of the voting process, sufficient central forces have been stationed at polling places.
- 41 helicopters, 84 Special trains and around 1 lakh vehicles have been deployed to ferry polling and security personnel.
- More than 50% of the polling stations will use webcasting, and every polling place will have micro observers placed there as well.
- 361 observers—127 general observers, 67 police observers, and 167 expenditure observers—have already arrived in their constituencies. They act as the Commission’s eyes and ears. Moreover, in several states, Special Observers have also been assigned.
- In order to strictly and quickly handle any kind of voter inducement. A total of 4627 Flying Squads, 5208 Statistics Surveillance Teams, 2028 Video Surveillance Teams, and 1255 Video Viewing Teams will maintain round-the-clock surveillance.
- A total of 162 international border checkpoints and 1374 interstate border checkpoints are closely monitoring any kind of illicit activities. Strict vigil on illicit flow of currency, alcohol, or narcotics is in place. Air and marine routes has been subject to strict surveillance.
The Festival of Democracy Begins-
With all the above mentioned initiatives in place. The voting has begun with great fervor and enthusiasm among the people. Actor and MNM leader Kamal Haasan recently exercised his voting right in Koyambedu. Despite undergoing brain surgery, Sadhguru casted his vote in Coimbatore. Rajinikanth casted his vote in Stella Maris College in Poes Garden while Actor Dhanush was seen voting at a polling booth in Alwarpet. Overall, if you haven’t voted yet. Then please do. After all,
Aapka Mat, Aapka Adhikar!