Ernakulam district set for smooth conduct of polls, says Collector

The district administration is all set for a smooth conduct of the Assembly elections scheduled for April 9, according to Ernakulam District Collector G. Priyanka.

The administration has taken all steps to ensure a fair and transparent election, she said.

A total of 24,96,753 voters have been enrolled in the district as of March 16. The electorate includes 12,81,242 women, 12,15,486 men and 25 transgender people. Women make 51.32% of the electorate as against 48.68% of men.

Kalamassery assembly constituency has the highest number of voters – 1,97,058, followed by Piravom (1,94,982), Aluva (1,93,979) and Paravur (1,91,138). Ernakulam has the least number of voters with 1,35,483 electors.

Voting will take place at 3,148 polling stations in 14 constituencies in the district. Webcasting will be done from all the booths. The polling procedures will be monitored from the control room at the collectorate throughout the day.

As many as 14 booths will be controlled fully by women officials, including security personnel. Four booths, each in all assembly segments, have been designated as ‘model booths’.

The collector said facilities will be arranged for voters aged above 85 and differently abled voters to cast their vote from home.

“The district requires 3,148 Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). We are equipped with 4,245 ballot units, 4,072 control units and 4,415 Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) units. The distribution of polling materials will start at 8 a.m. on April 8,” Ms. Priyanka said.

She said a total of 15,111 officials will have to be deployed in the district for election duties. This includes 3,778 presiding officers and first polling officers each, and 283 sectoral officers.

A total of 915 vehicles will be required for the transportation of the officials. As many as 520 light motor vehicles, 21 mini buses and 332 buses will be deployed for the purpose.

EVMs and VVPATs will be kept at the strongrooms at CUSAT, UC College, Aluva, and MA College, Kothamangalam. Counting of votes will take place on May 4.