Polling officials leave for their booths after collecting EVMs and other polling materials, in Bengaluru on Tuesday. (PTI)
Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar urges young and urban voters in the country’s IT capital to take inspiration from veteran voters like 103-year-old Mahadev Mahalinga Mali and participate in the celebration of democracy
A day before polling in Karnataka, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajeev Kumar on Tuesday urged over 5.3 crore voters, especially 11.71 lakh first-time voters, to “enthusiastically participate” in the 224 assembly elections in the state. requested.
In a statement, Kumar urged young and urban voters in the country’s IT capital to take inspiration from elderly voters like 103-year-old Mahadev Mahalinga Mali and participate in the festival of democracy defeating the prevailing trend of urban apathy. State.
On May 10, polling is to be held at 58,545 polling stations including auxiliary centres.
Last week, Kumar had thanked Mali, who cast his vote from his home in Chikkodi in Belagavi, calling it an inspiration to young voters.
“The CEC also thanked over 76,000 senior citizens (80+) and 18,800 persons with disabilities (PWD) voters who cast their vote using the home voting facility provided by the commission,” said an official statement.
There are over 5.3 crore registered voters in the state, of which there are almost equal numbers of male (2.66 crore) and female voters (2.63 crore). In addition, the state has over 5.71 lakh differently abled, 12.15 lakh 80+ senior citizens and 16,000+ centenarian voters registered.
“CEOs and DEOs have been instructed to provide all facilities at over 58K polling stations set up in 224 constituencies. Notably, 996 women managed booths, 239 booths managed by PWD, 286 managed by youth, 737 theme based and ethnic polling stations,” the CEC said.
Basic amenities like drinking water, toilets, ramps, wheelchairs, electricity, volunteers, sheds, help desks and parking have been provided at all polling stations.
Earlier during the day, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said that pre-poll seizures in Karnataka have increased 4.5 times compared to 2018 assembly elections as multiple agencies seized cash, liquor, drugs and gifts worth Rs 375 crore .
Till Monday, cash worth Rs 147 crore was seized along with precious metals worth Rs 96.60 crore. ECI data shows that at least 22 lakh liters of liquor worth Rs 84 crore and drugs and free goods worth Rs 24 crore have also been seized.
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