102 Lok Sabha seats in 21 states, including TN, are scheduled for polling on April 19

Rajiv Kumar, Chief Election Commissioner accompanied with Gyanesh Kumar, Election Commissioner and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, Election Commissioner asked all the observers to strictly ensure that polling stations contain all amenities for voters especially to combat heat, no inducements are offered close to voting of first phase, forces are optimally utilised and law and order is kept under strict watch.

Doorstep voting for elderly, PwD voters in Lok Sabha polls

18th Lok Sabha Election makes history : ECI walks the extra mile to reach doorsteps of elderly and PwD voters. Citizens above 85 years & PwDs start voting from home:
Details : https://t.co/BjRrFcF2iY pic.twitter.com/UqhsK9c8Gk

— Spokesperson ECI (@SpokespersonECI) April 12, 2024

In a first, doorstep voting has been provided for the elderly (persons aged 85 years and above) and Persons with Disabilities (PwD), the Election Commission of India (ECI) said.

The disability should not be less than 40% of the prescribed handicap and certified by the competent authority.

There are over 81 lakhs of 85+ aged voters and 90 lakhs PwD voters registered across the country.

The Booth Level Officer (BLO) is responsible for retrieving Form 12D from the elector’s place of residence when the required documentation has been completed.

Following this, a dedicated team of polling officials along with security officials will visit the voter’s home and enable them to vote in a postal ballot.

Voters will be informed in advance about the date and approximate time of the visit of election officials by an SMS to the mobile number mentioned in the application.

Central Observers were inter alia directed to ensure

• The preparedness for polling in all the constituencies well in advance and ensure the level playing field for all the stakeholders i.e. candidates and political parties
• To remain physically available within the Parliamentary Constituency they are allotted during the entire election process.
• Wide publication of mobile/landline/email/place of stay and circulation amongst candidate and political parties so that they are available on the designated numbers/addresses on daily basis to general public/candidate and political parties,
• Randomization of deployment of forces in their presence
• That Central Forces/State Police Forces are being utilized judiciously and maintaining neutrality and their deployment is not favouring any political party/candidate
•  Randomization of EVMs/VVPATs and polling personnel in their presence
• Smooth process of home voting for 85+ and PwDs and Postal Ballot for persons on election duty, essential duties and Service Voters
• That the Electoral Rolls are supplied to the political parties and contesting candidates
• The Vulnerability Mapping has been fairly done by the district administration and transportation and communication plan prepared accordingly
• Deployment of Micro Observers
• Commissioning of EVM/VVPAT before all candidates / their representatives
• Oversee robust security arrangements at the EVM Strong Rooms and ensure presence of authorised agents of all candidates
• All complaint redressal mechanisms are in place
• That integrated Control Rooms have been set up in districts under overall charge of an officer authorised to take timely corrective action
• 100% distribution of voter information slips has been done in advance before the polling day
• All the IT applications such as C-vigil, Voter Helpline App, Saksham App, ENCORE, Suvidha App etc, are being used by the election staff and they are properly trained to use these apps
• The training of all the polling personnel including the counting staff, Micro Observers etc. are been/have been organized in orderly manner
• Visiting the polling stations in the constituency and ensure that Assured Minimum Facilities are in place at all the polling stations
• Setting up of Voter Assistance Booth at all the polling stations for convenience of voters, special facilitation for differently abled, physically challenged, women, elderly and leprosy affected voters etc
• Facilities of drinking water, sheds/shamyanas for voters waiting in queue and proper sitting arrangements outside the polling stations during polling
• That Flying Squads, Statistics Surveillance Teams, Video Viewing Teams, Border Check Posts, Nakas etc. are doing their work round the clock and the efforts are being made so that there is no movement and distribution of cash, liquor, freebees, drugs/narcotics
• Proper working by Media Certification and Monitoring Committees for pre-certification of political advertisement and paid news
• Timely curbing of fake news/mis-information, and pro-active dissemination of information to steer positive narrative.