13 polling booths with low voting averages targeted with SVEEP activities in The Nilgiris

Five polling stations in Udhagamandalam, two in Gudalur and six in Coonoor Assembly constituencies, which recorded below average polling figures during the last election have been identified and targeted SVEEP (Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation) activities are being conducted to improve voter turnout, said The Nilgiris District Collector and District Election Officer Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru on Monday.

“Various awareness activities, confidence-building measures and encouragement to turn out and vote are being conducted,” said Ms. Tanneeru adding that new voters are being targeted as part of the initiative. She said that booths which may be difficult to reach for Adivasi communities too are being identified, and arrangements are being made to transport them to polling booths.

She also said that between March 15 and March 22, ₹2.59 crore in cash and precious metals have been seized. She said that seized properties worth ₹2.48 crore have also been released.

“The Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed that genuine tourists should not be harassed with seizures. Teams have been directed to ensure that unless that large sums are being carried by tourists, that tourists not be inconvenienced,” she said. The Collector added that following complaints from tourists about seizures, that the seized amount is being released in less than 24 hours after verification.

The Nilgiris district Superintendent of Police N.S. Nisha said that this year, as part of election preparedness, banned tobacco products amounting to 22 kg have been seized, with 60 cases being registered. More than 159 litres of liquor has also been seized, especially at the inter-State border check-posts, where 52 litres have been seized, she said.

A total of 140 non-bailable warrants have been executed, she said, with 361 out of 397 registered arms being deposited with the police.

On Monday, the first randomisation of EVMs was conducted in The Nilgiris. Following the randomisation, the machines will be taken to strong rooms in the three Assembly segments of Udhagamandalam, Coonoor and Gudalur, where they will be under 24-hour protection.