Poll timings to be painted across walls in 70,000 villages

BHOPAL

: In at least four districts of the state, polling would be conducted in three phases as some or the other parts of these districts come in three different parliamentary constituencies.

Moreover, another 13 districts of the state are part of at least two parliamentary constituencies. The remaining districts are part of only one parliamentary constituency. Thus, in the interiors there is the problem of confusion related to dates of voting, especially in areas lying close to the borders of the constituencies. In a bid to weed out this muddle among the voters, the Election Commission (EC) is getting the date and timing of voting painted in all the 70,000 villages, hamlets and habitations of the state.

The four districts which are a part of at least three parliamentary constituency each are Dewas,

Chhatarpur

, Sehore and Ratlam.

Sources told TOI, “Suppose there is voting during first phase in a village and in the neighbouring village which comes under another parliamentary constituency polling is scheduled in third phase. This could cause some confusion. Thus, all the district election officers have been instructed to get the polling dates painted across walls in each village and hamlet.”

This measure comes apart from the other activities that are being carried out for creating voter awareness and also to make voting convenient for people, said sources.

Voters are provided with voter slips as well as voter guides, which will also have a map of the polling booth, the sources added.

There are around 51,000 villages in the state; and if small hamlets and habitations are to be included as well, the total then comes out to be around 70,000. Apart from the timing of elections, the district authorities can also get awareness slogans painted if they feel the need so, added sources.