On Monday, the Election Commission of India officially announced the schedule for Assembly elections in the state. According to the election schedule, voting for all the two hundred seats in the state will be held on 23 November, and the vote-counting procedure will take place on 3 December. More than 5 crore 27 lakh voters in the state are eligible to vote. With the election announcement, the Model Code of Conduct has also come into effect in the state with immediate effect.
Chief Electoral Officer Praveen Gupta addressed the press at the Government Secretariat on Monday regarding the elections. He said that with the implementation of the code of conduct, there has been a ban on transfers and appointments in the state. He also mentioned that in case of urgent need, the state government will be able to transfer election-related officers and employees only after obtaining approval from the Election Commission.
Central observers will keep an eye on the election process and expenses of the candidates on all the two hundred seats in the assembly elections. Gupta assured that concrete arrangements will be made for law and order for peaceful elections in the state.
Gupta said that there will be a ban on the use of government vehicles, helicopters and aircraft for election purposes. In addition to this, during elections, the name of the publisher and printer must be published on any publication material like posters, pamphlets etc.
Voter Information Slip with QR Code
The BLO will distribute the Voter information slips with QR codes containing information about their serial number, polling day and time, etc. at least 5 days before the polling day.
The facility of home voting
As per the instructions of the Election Commission of India, for the first time in the state, the home voting initiative has been taken in the assembly general elections for senior citizens above 80 years of age and specially-abled voters with more than 40 per cent disability category. Under this voting option, more than 18.05 lakh voters will be able to get this facility in the elections.
Live webcasting at more than 50 per cent of polling stations
Live webcasting will be done at 26 thousand polling stations including auxiliary polling stations, which constitutes more than 50 per cent of the total polling stations.
Role of IT in election management
The Commission has increased the use of IT applications to bring greater participation and transparency. Complaints about violations of the Model Code of Conduct can be made through the C-Vigil app. People can get information about the candidate through the KYC app. Similarly, related information and facilities can be obtained sitting at home through the Voter Helpline App, Saksham App and Suvidha Portal.
Polling centres run by women, disabled people and youth
A total of 1600 polling stations will be managed by women, and a total of 200 by persons with disabilities to increase gender equality and constructive participation of women in the electoral process.