The Election Commission of India has made elaborate arrangements to ensure smooth Lok Sabha polls in the prestigious Ranchi seat on Monday.
Ranchi DC-cum-returning officer for polls, Rai Mahimapat Ray, along with Ranchi SSP Anish Gupta issued last-minute instructions for voter safety and convenience across all six Assembly segments of Ranchi Lok Sabha seat.
“We appeal to people to cast their vote in huge numbers and make Ranchi parliamentary seat number one in turnout,” said Ray. “In Ranchi (LS seat), there are 16.48 lakh eligible voters and 2,342 polling booths. A total of 9,368 polling staff have been deployed and 400 more are in reserve.”
All government and private institutions, shops, hotels, malls, factories will be closed from 7am to 4pm on Monday so that employees can cast their vote. “Under Labour Law shops, offices, hostels and the like where people are employed will remain closed tomorrow (Monday). Strict action will be taken if any establishment is found open,” Ray said.
On Sunday, polling officials were sent to respective booths from Birsa Munda Football Stadium in Morabadi. Of the 2,342 booths, 577 are super-sensitive and 702 are sensitive. In 21 booths, polling officials and security personnel will be women. One-hundred-and-eighty booths are model ones. Webcasting will be done from 253 booths, it has been decided, the DC said.
Ranchi SSP Gupta said paramilitary and state police had been deputed at all booths. “LWE pockets are our focus.”
In the capital, expect traffic restrictions on Ratu Road stretch from Monday, 2pm, as EVM machines would be stored at Bazaar Samiti, Pandra market, which has been designated as the strongroom.
“On Monday, we will minimise traffic load on Ratu Road stretch. Trucks and other heavy vehicles are off from Tilta Chowk to Piska More. Such vehicles will be diverted towards Ring road via Daladali Chowk and Kanke Road. Polling parties will come from all booths to Bazaar Samiti to deposit EVMs. These restrictions will be in place from 2pm and go on till the last polling team is back, which can be Tuesday morning too,” said a policeman.
CITIZEN CHECKLIST
- VOTING TIME: 7am to 4pm
- BOOTHS: 2,342
- CARRY WITH YOU: Voter slip, voter ID (substitutes are Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driving licence or any authorised photo ID)
- CHECK: Name on electoral roll
- FOCUS: On EVM-VVPAT (EVM’s blue button, VVPAT’s window)
- REPORT: Anything suspicious, malfunctioning EVM, missing name
- FLAUNT: Ink on finger
- DRESS CODE: We prefer comfort, but your call
- GOOD TO HAVE: An umbrella (light rains likely), water bottle, cap
- TRAFFIC: Expect restrictions on Ratu Road from 2pm onwards