Cachar to set a new record of 201 women polling stations; Special Covid room to be present at polling stations

In the 2016 assembly elections, a total of ten full-fledged women polling stations were set up in Cachar district. This year the number of polling stations will be 1,834 out of which 201 will be fully controlled by women setting an all-time record in Cachar district’s history. Every officer in the aforesaid polling stations will be a woman. Even in case of security arrangements, female police officials will be deployed. Also, every polling station will have a special covid protocol.

Each voter will be given a mask and sanitizer before entering the polling booth. In addition, their body temperature will be measured. If a voter’s body temperature is higher than normal then the person will be kept separate from others. There will be special arrangements for him in case of voting. Special arrangements have also been made for voters over eighty years of age and about six thousand people have already applied to vote from home.

On Saturday, District Magistrate Kirti Jalli held a press conference at her conference hall and presented election information to the public. Election observer Amlan Biswas, Kumar Rajib Ranjan, Kailash Pagade, Superintendent of Police BL Mina, Additional District Magistrate Sumit Sattyawan and others were present at the press conference.

Speaking to reporters District Magistrate Keerthi Jalli said, “Various steps are being taken to attract new voters this year. But this time the special attraction is women voters. In Cachar district, district magistrate, election officials and various other officials are women. We have increased the number of women polling stations this year. Every official in those polling stations will be a woman and the environment will be created in such a way that the women feel safe when they come to vote.”

The district magistrate also informed that EVM and VVPAT ‘Randomisation’ has started in Cachar district and the process has already come a long way. Postal ballots have been arranged for drivers and assistants involved in election duty. People over the age of eighty, people with covid, specially-abled people and those involved in emergency services will also benefit from the postal ballot.

Covid protocol will be followed in every polling station. There will be a system to measure the body temperature of the voters through thermal scan. If someone’s temperature is high then the election officials will wear PPE kits and receive their vote. Each center will also have masks for voters and gloves for those who will vote. There will also be volunteers to guide the voters.

Keerthi Jalli said, “A maximum of one thousand voters has been kept in each polling station this time. Auxiliary polling stations have been set up within 500 meters in the polling stations having more than one thousand voters. As a result, the number of polling stations has increased to 1,834. Some areas have been identified as sensitive. There are also some polling stations where more than 75% of the votes have been cast for the same candidate in the past. In these cases, we will make special observations and the polling stations will be treated as sensitive.”

Election observer Amlan Biswas said, “During the elections, special vigilance should be exercised in the border areas of the district. It should be monitored whether illegal items have been smuggled in, or if excessive money is being supplied. Not only drugs should be confiscated but cannabis and other intoxicants as well. They should be seized with equal importance. Some elected representatives have made allegations like syndicate raj and their claims would also be verified. ”

Superintendent of Police BL Meena said “Checking of every vehicle is already underway in the border areas of the district. It has been urged to send 69 companies of special armed forces for the elections. It will be known this week exactly how many companies are coming to the Cachar district. There are plans to appoint more female police officers in female polling stations. In addition, the environment will be created in such a way that women feel safe when they come to vote. This will definitely increase the number of female voters. “