Over 12.45 lakh people to vote in Udupi – Chikmagalur by polls – Udupi DC M. T. Reju

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Feb 23, 2012 : Udupi DC Dr. M. T. Reju told reporters at a press conference held in DC Complex Rajatadri in Manipal that more than 12.45 lakh people in Chikmagalur and Udupi will vote in the upcoming Udupi – Chikmagalur Lok Sabha by poll, which is scheduled to be held on March 18.

 

Further, he said that the district administration will release an official notification on Feb 22. Nominations must be filed by Feb 29 and withdrawn if necessary by March 3. The votes will be counted on March 21, he said.

Speaking about the arrangements made for the by polls, he said that 1,510 polling booths will be set up in Chikmagalur and Udupi. Both districts have around 12,45,265 voters and comprise 8 assembly segments such as Kundapur (169575), Udupi (163725), Kaup (144440), Karkala (149136), Shringeri (139625), Mudigere (142698), Chikmagalur (183976), and Tarikere (152091).

Election Commission guidelines state that each polling booth should receive votes from not more than 1,300 citizens. Of the total 12,45,256 voters in the Lok Sabha constituency, Udupi has 6,26,876 and Chikmagalur has 6,18,390, he said.

He also said that the number of applications may increase as applications for elector’s photo identity card (EPIC) are being submitted. The last date for acceptance of applications is Feb 23 and the electoral list will be uploaded on Feb 29.

The DC also said that a meeting of district-level officers, including nodal officers and magistrates, will be held to discuss preparations for the by polls.

While the electoral list is quite clear, as many as 99.66 percent EPICs are made available to Udupi voters. However, voters can show other EPIC-approved identity proof such as driving license. The constituency has ample EVMs, he added.

Around 7,500 officials and 1,500 police officers will be involved in the by polls. Last LS elections had 1593 polling stations, and of the 1593 polling stations, 573 were normal, 759 were sensitive, and 261 were hypersensitive, he said.

The DC also said that EVMs will be used in all polling booths, with each station getting an EVM. Security will be beefed up at all places, and the counting will be held in T. A. Pai English Medium School in Kunjibettu on March 21.

Contesting candidates can file nominations to the EC in the DC’s office from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The DC has urged all political parties to avoid violations of EC regulations and code of conduct. He has also requested citizens to report any such violation to the nearest election officer.

Dr. Boralingaiah, the Udupi superintendent of police; S. A. Prabhakar Sharma, the ZP CEO; and Kumar, the additional DC, were also present.