VOTING HOURS

7am to 3pm. Can be extended till 5pm, if required.

WEATHER

Chances of rain and a thundershower or two at any time of day.

MUST CARRY

Voter ID or any identity proof from a list of 16 approved by the state election commission:

♦ PAN card

♦ Driving licence

♦ Passport

♦ Service identity card of state and central governments, PSUs and public limited companies

♦ Passbook with photograph issued by PSU banks and post offices

♦ Ration card with photograph

♦ SC/ST/OBC certificate issued by a competent authority

♦ Pension document with photograph

♦ Freedom fighter's identity card

♦ Physical handicap document with photograph

♦ Job card issued under the NREGA with photograph

♦ Service identity card with photograph issued by a civic body or panchayat

♦ Health insurance scheme smartcard with photograph issued by Union ministry of labour

♦ Smartcard issued under the National Population Register

Also carry your voter slip, if you have one (but remember to tear off the counterfoil that bears the name and emblem of the political party)

WHAT NOT TO CARRY

Camera, firearms and sharp weapons. If a VIP enters a booth, his/her bodyguard has to keep firearm concealed.

WHAT YOU CAN CARRY

Umbrellas, mobiles (but they need to be switched off), walking sticks (depending on the health of the voter) and water bottles.

HOW TO CAST YOUR VOTE

Go to the booth between 7am-3pm. Carry your EPIC or any of the above-mentioned documents along with your voter's slip. The first presiding officer will check your name on the electoral roll, after which your finger will be marked with indelible ink. You can then cast your vote on the electronic voting machine. Wait till you hear a loud beep. Step out of the booth.

IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF PROXY VOTING

Alert the presiding officer of the booth to such malpractice immediately. The law allows you to cast a tender vote; so request the officer to allow you to do so.

IF YOU SPOT FOUL PLAY AT THE BOOTH

Salt Lake: Two officials have been deputed as observers. In wards 1 to 21, you can report your grievance to Shakil Ahmed at 9674267135. In wards 22-41, you can report your grievance to Debasis Ghosh at 9674265897.

Bally: An official has been deputed as observer. Grievances can be reported to Kaushik Saha at 7044045084.

SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS

Salt Lake: Around 2,200 police personnel will be deployed on Saturday. In the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation area, nine police inspectors, 245 officers, 1,490 constables and 139 women constables will be on duty. There will also be 43 sector mobiles, 32 radio squad jeeps, 16 heavy radio flying squads and eight quick-reaction teams. Around 40 check posts have been set up since Thursday. Officers of Calcutta police have also been asked to keep vigil on the Bypass to disperse any unlawful assembly in the bordering areas of Salt Lake that are under the Calcutta Municipal Corporation.

Bally: Around 1,500 police personnel will be on poll duty. Single booths will have an ASI, an armed constable and a homeguard. Locations with multiple booths will have more than one ASI, armed constables and homeguards. Nine radio transmission mobile vans, six heavy radio flying squads and three quick-reaction teams will be deployed. Around 12 check posts have been set up and two camera-fitted vehicles of the state election commission will patrol the poll belt.

IN AN EMERGENCY

Dial 100 or Bidhannagar City Police Control Room (03323358788/23410465) or Howrah City Police control room (03326374761/62), depending on where you are.

TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS

Vehicles cannot park within 100 metres of a polling booth. Vehicles entering and leaving Salt Lake will be randomly stopped at police check posts in 40 places. Vehicles entering and leaving Bally will be checked at posts set up in 12 places. Bikers cannot move in a group of more than three bikes.

TRANSPORT OPTIONS

Salt Lake: Many buses have been requisitioned for poll tasks; so the number of buses plying in Salt Lake will be less than usual. Autorickshaws could be fewer too. App-based cabs like Uber and Ola expected to operate normally.

Bally: A few buses have been requisitioned for the election but public transport in Bally should be adequate. Autorickshaws, totos and app-based cab services will be available.

AFTER VOTE

Bars, pubs and off-shops: All bars, pubs and off shops in Salt Lake, New Town, Rajarhat, Sector V and Bally will be closed during polling hours. Post-poll, some restaurants may open at the discretion of the management. In Sector V, most restaurants will remain open all day but none will serve liquor. Liquor off shops and pubs in areas adjacent to Salt Lake and New Town such as Beleghata, Kankurgachhi, Lake Town and Baguiati will be open as usual.

Belur Math: Normal schedule. Open from 6.30am to noon and 3.30pm to 8.30pm.

Malls and multiplexes: Will open after 3pm. Big Bazaar, Liluah, will be open from 11am to 9pm

Government offices: All government offices in Salt Lake will be closed. Most government offices in Sector V will be shut too.