l 27 booths, 4 auxiliary polling stations set up
l 85 CISF jawans, 400 cops deployed for polls
VALPOI, OCT 16
Election authorities are confident of conducting free and fair polls with the help of the new Poll Management System (PMS), as campaigning to the Valpoi assembly by-election ended at 5 pm on Saturday.
Voting will take place on October 18 from 8 am to 5 pm, will counting of votes will be held on October 21 at the Home Science College in Panjim.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Returning Officer Jayant Tari informed that 31 polling stations have been set up, of which four have been designated as auxiliary polling stations.
“The auxiliary polling stations have been set up for the first time at Nanus (polling station 1), Valpoi (polling stations 2 and 5) and Velus (polling station 6),” said Tari.
“These auxiliary polling stations have been set up wherever there are more than 1,000 voters and for the benefit of voters to avoid the possibility of a long queue of voters on polling day,” he added.
The returning officer informed that the Poll Management System would be implemented for the first time to avoid bogus voting and to facilitate smooth conduct of poll.
“A mock drill to conduct polling by implementing the Poll Management System (PMS), which includes videography and finger printing of voters, has been successfully conducted,” he said.
“To avoid delay in the voting process, the 27 booths have been increased to 31. Besides, other facilities will available to voters at the voters facilitation centre at each booth,” Tari said.
He informed that elaborate arrangements have been made to conduct free and fair by-elections to the Valpoi assembly seat.
“Arrangements have been made for disabled persons by providing wheelchairs, while the blind voters will be helped/guided in exercising their franchise,” he said.
He said the presiding officer at each booth will be assisted by four polling officers besides voter identification officers.
Tari mentioned that 17,920 voters (males – 9107, females – 8805 and 8 service voters), will exercise their franchise, with 98% of the voters being covered under the EPIC (Electors Photo Identity Card).
“EPIC is not made compulsory for this election but any identity card among 13 cards/documents approved by the Election Commissioner will be accepted when voters go to the polling stations,” said Tari.
The 13 cards/documents are passport, driving licence, PAN Card, Service Identity Card, Bank Passbook/Post office passbook, property document (including sale deed), SC, ST/OBC Certificate, Pension, documents, Freedom Fighters ID card, Arms licence, physically handicap, job card under NREG Scheme and Health Smart Card.
Tari clarified that postal ballot papers have not been issued to any voter as voters from Valpoi Constituency will have a holiday.
“Voters working outside Valpoi can excise their franchise by availing a restricted holiday,” he said.
In a bid to maintain law and order during the polls on Monday, authorities have deployed 85 CISF Jawans and 400 personnel of the Goa Police in the constituency.
In addition, eight section magistrates along with eight PSIs have been deployed to supervise the elections.
“Dry days have been declared by the Excise Department from Saturday evening till Monday and also on counting day on October 21,” said Tari.
Meanwhile, Tari has warned parties and their supporters from campaigning after 5 pm on Saturday.
“If any candidate or his supporters are found campaigning after 5 pm from Saturday till the closing time of polling day on Monday, an FIR will be registered against the candidate or his supporters,” informed the returning officer.
