No campaigning for 2nd, 3rd phase on Apr 22: CEO

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 20 (UNI) Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Nalini Netto today said during the first phase of elections in the state on April 22, no campaigning would be allowed in other places where the second and third phase elections were to be held.

Talking to media here, she said compaign for the second and third phase would be allowed only after completion of the first phase poll.

Ms Netto said voters had to produce photo-fixed voter identity cards for exercising their franchise and those who had no cards could produce photo-fixed driving licence and other proof approved by the Election Commission. However, such identity proof should have been taken well before February 28 last, she added.

For the first time in the state, digital cameras would be used in 850 booths in the first phase. The Commission had acquired nearly 1,000 cameras for the purpose, she said.

On an experimental basis, Braille would be used in three places at Kozhikode-I, Chavara and Aryanad constituencies for the blind to vote. If found successful, it would be used in future elections.

The Commission had posted 47,874 polling personnel for the first phase in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Idukki districts on April 22.

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