More than 1.4 billion Indians are set to cast their ballots in the ensuing weeks as Lok Sabha elections commence from Friday. The first phase of polling will be undertaken in 102 parliamentary constituencies across 21 states. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said on Thursday that lakhs of officials had worked extensively over the past two years to making the voting experience “peaceful and comfortable”.
“Every polling station is on the ground floor. They will have drinking water, washrooms, ramps, wheelchairs, help desks and volunteers. We will also deliver voter information slips to your residence to make you feel welcome. Please come to vote,” Kumar said in a video message.
Polling will begin from 7 am at 102 102 constituencies across 21 states and union territories on Friday. Voters in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim will also elect their assemblies alongside the first phase of Lok Sabha elections. Polling will continue till 6 pm with votes being counted on June 4.
“Voters with the age of 85 years or more and belonging to the PWD category can opt to vote from their homes. The enthusiasm of Indian voters will beat the extreme weather. You will be deciding MPs, MLAs in four states and next government in the country,” Kumar added.
Will voters get VVPAT slips? SC says…
Meanwhile the Supreme Court has reserved its judgement on a batch of pleas seeking a complete cross-verification of votes cast using EVMs with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail or VVPAT. A Bench of Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta also asked the Election Commission to explain the steps followed to ensure free and fair polls and the technology used to operate the VVPAT printers.
Earlier this week the apex court had deprecated criticism of EVMs and calls for reverting to ballot papers. It said that the electoral process in India was a "humongous task" and urged against attempts to "bring down the system".
(With inputs from agencies)
