Chhatrapur: Preparations for the upcoming general elections have begun Saturday in Ganjam district with the publication of draft voters’ list.
Voters’ complaints, if any, on the list would be received till October 31 while the voter list would be finalised by November 30. Later, the database would be updated and the final list of voters would be published January 4, 2019.
This was stated by Ganjam Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange at a press meet held at the conference hall of the collectorate.
The Collector said names of the voters can be removed, added and their details can be revised latest by October 31. He laid emphasis on creating awareness on the matter.
According to reports, at least 13,000 electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be required in the district to conduct Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.
Of the 16,242 EVMs arrived from Uttar Pradesh in the district headquarters, 453 would be sent to Malkangiri.
However, the district administration has so far not received a single piece of Voter-verified paper audit trail (VVPAT).
A first level examination of the machines would be done in the presence of the representatives of the various political parties and media, said additional district magistrate Kabindra Kumar Sahoo.
The number of booths in the district has increased to 3,063 for the coming elections. Berhampur MLA constituency has 32 booths, the highest in the district. The number of booths to be set up in other MLA constituencies is Digapahandi -25, Gopalpur-31, Chhatrapur-16, Polasara-15, Kabisuryanagar-15, Khallikote-19, Hinjili-14, Sanakhemundi-12, Chikiti-7, Bhanjanagar-11, Aska-15 and Sorada-18. Polling booths can be set up in private schools in case the condition of the government schools is found unsuitable to conduct polls.
At present, a survey is being conducted to add names of differently-abled persons in the voters’ list, the ADM said.
Revision of details of the voters can be made through online also, he added.
PNN