DK district will have 20 pink polling stations with 5 in city : DC Sasikanth Senthil

DK district will have 20 pink polling stations with 5 in city : DC Sasikanth Senthil

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Apr 17, 2018 : DK Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil said that 20 polling booths in Dakshina Kannada will be women-friendly (pink) polling booths. Five polling booths will be ethnic polling stations, which highlights the traditional occupation and portrays the tradition of the district.

 

Interacting with media on April 16,  Monday, he said that pink polling stations will have all women polling staff, to highlight empowerment of women. Further, at least two to three model polling stations will be set up in each assembly constituencies. The model polling booth will have a reception area, seating arrangement and the staff will receive the voters at the polling booth.

The pink polling booths are at Church Higher Primary School, Belthangady (East wing); Parokiyal Aided Higher Primary School, Bajpe (West wing building, DK ZP Government Higher Primary School, Katipalla , second block (East wing of South building); DK ZP Government Model Higher Primary School, Marakada (third room of new building); DK ZP model higher primary school, Yedapadavu (South wing); DK ZP Higher School, Valachil (West wing); St Victoria Girls High School, Ladyhill (North wing); DK ZP Higher Primary School, Gandhinagara (Middle wing); St Aloysius Higher Primary School, Urwa (West portion of South building); Government Girls PU College, Balmatta (West wing), Aided Basel Mission Higher Primary School, Ullal; Mogaveera Aided Higher Primary School, Ullal; Bharath Aided High School, Ullal; St Sebastian English Medium School, Thokkottu; DK ZP Higher Primary School, Hoohakuvakallu, Balepuni; DK ZP Higher Primary School, Kerebail Sangabettu; DK ZP Higher Primary School, Kodimbadi; and DK ZP Model Higher Primary School, Guthigaru.

The ethnic centres are at DK ZP Higher Primary School, Neriya; DK ZP Model School, Bellayur; Kendriya Model Residential School, Madhya; DK ZP Upgraded Higher Primary School, Balnadu; and DK ZP Higher Primary School, Subrahmanya.

Stating that the polling booths will be differently-abled friendly, the DC said that the mapping of the requirement of all 10,300 physically-challenged persons have been done by the district administration. Wheelchairs, ramps and other facilities have been planned. The district administration will procure 500 wheelchairs required for the physically challenged at the polling stations. In addition, a few differently-abled persons have sought transportation facilities to the polling booth, which will also be provided. The demand of the residents of a few hamlets on providing transportation facilities to reach the polling booths will be looked into, after holding discussion with the election commission.

To a query on boycott by the residents of Banjarumale, he said that the residents have been convinced, as their demands have already been sanctioned. The work could not be initiated due to the model code of conduct.

Festive spirit

The DC said that the district administration want to conduct election in a festive spirit. All the premises (including commercial complexes) will be asked to decorate to give an impression of festival, rather than serious note to election. It will be focussed on urban crowd.

He said that with the use of VVPAT, one additional polling staff is required. A total of 11,900 polling staff will be required in Dakshina Kannada. There are 9,000 state government employees. “The services of staff from PSUs and Central government will be utilised for the purpose,” he added.

Seizures

The DC said that Rs 5.90 lakh cash was seized, of which, Rs 2.90 lakh has been released, post documents verification. The Excise Department has seized 739.97 litre liquor, while the police have seized 54.365 litre liquor. As many as 4,560 flexes and party flags have been removed. As many as 12 FIRs related to expenditure have been registered by the police. A total of 149 FIRs have been registered for excise law violation. Out of 71 complaints received online, 68 have been disposed.