Lok Sabha Polls Phase-1: 102 Seats, 1,625 Candidates, 16.63 Cr Voters, 1.87 L Polling Stations & 18 L Personnel
The polling for phase-1 on Friday has the highest number of parliamentary constituencies. Voting begins at 7 am and ends at 6 pm, with some seats having differing end times because of the areas and regions they belong to
The first round of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections will be conducted on Friday with over 16.63 crore voters eligible to exercise their right on at least 102 seats across 21 states and union territories. The Election Commission of India has made all preparations to welcome voters to the biggest festival of democracy that any nation has witnessed, the poll body said in a statement on Thursday.
As many as 18 lakh poll officials at 1.87 lakh booths will make it possible for the ECI to conduct this massive election where the fate of 1,625 candidates will be locked.
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“There are over 14.14 lakh registered 85+ years old and 13.89 lakh PwD voters in 102 PCs who have been provided the option to vote from the comfort of their homes. The optional Home Voting facility is already receiving tremendous appreciation and response," the ECI said.
Voting Window
The polling for phase-1 has the highest number of parliamentary constituencies. Voting begins at 7 am and ends at 6 pm, with some seats having differing end times because of the areas and regions they belong to.
As many as 35.67 lakh first-time voters registered to cast their votes and the number of those in the age group of 20-29 years stands at 3.51 crore.
“The Commission considers that it is the time now for voters to act. It has with all sincerity appealed to voters to step out of their homes, go to the polling station and vote with responsibility and pride," the poll body said.
‘Enough Deployment for Peaceful Polling’
In the statement, the poll body said that it took a slew of decisive measures for a peaceful and smooth conduct of the elections. Central forces have been deployed adequately at polling stations to secure the voting process.
“Webcasting will be done in more than 50% of the polling stations along with deployment of micro observers in all polling stations. As many as 361 Observers (127 General Observers, 67 Police Observers, 167 Expenditure Observers) have already reached their constituencies days before the polls. They serve as the eyes and ears of the Commission to exercise utmost vigilance. Additionally, Special Observers have been deployed in certain states," the ECI said.
A total of 4,627 flying squads, 5,208 statistics surveillance teams, 2,028 video surveillance teams, and 1,255 video viewing teams are keeping vigil round the clock to strictly and swiftly deal with any form of inducement of voters.
Also, 1,374 inter-state and 162 international border checkposts are keeping a strict vigil on any illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash, and freebies. In addition, strict surveillance has been kept at sea and air routes.
For easy movement of polling and security personnel, 41 helicopters, 84 special trains, and nearly one lakh vehicles have been deployed by the ECI.
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