Surat: As the political situation intensifies in Gujarat, preparations for the crucial polling day on May 7 are in full swing. The polls will be held along with by-elections for 25 assembly seats in the state, excluding Surat. The Election Commission is taking all measures to ensure the utmost care in the election process.
Chief Electoral Officer P. Bharti announced that all necessary preparations have been completed, including commissioning of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines. In order to ensure a smooth voting process, we have also decided to distribute water supply information slips.
Strengthening security measures
In Gujarat, 50,787 booths, including 13,600 vulnerable booths, will be present for voting, and the Election Commission has tightened security measures. The number of sensitive polling stations will be increased by 450 and up to 10 State Reserve Police (SRP) companies will be deployed at important polling stations. In addition, 120,000 police officers will remain on high alert throughout the voting day.
Anticipating scorching temperatures, the Election Commission has drawn up an action plan to deal with the looming heat wave. With the Bureau of Meteorology predicting temperatures to rise to 43 degrees Celsius, special measures are being taken to ensure the health of voters and election staff.
The campaign marks Gujarat’s return to polls in May after a 28-year hiatus. Preparations for the elections are in full swing despite the harsh weather conditions. Election staff have begun preparations at polling stations across the state under the scorching sun and are verifying EVMs.
Security remains a top concern, with police personnel stationed at all polling stations to maintain order and protect the integrity of the electoral process. Their vigilant presence underscores our commitment to ensuring a safe voting environment for all citizens.
As Gujarat braces itself for this pivotal election event, the collective efforts of election authorities, security personnel and residents alike are geared towards upholding the democratic principles of transparency and fairness. It is being As the stage is set for a historic polling day, all eyes are on Gujarat as it embarks on a journey to democracy amid sweltering heat.
Published on: Monday, May 6, 2024, 1:54 PM IST
