More polling officers in booth for fourth and fifth phase elections

Shantiniketan, Apr 29 (UNI) Deputy Election Commissioner R Balakirshnan today said the number of polling officers in booths would be increased during the fourth and fifth phase of elections in West Bengal.

He said in the first three phases of election, the turnout of voters in the post-lunch session was more and therefore the strength of the poll personnel in the booths would be increased to cope up with the rush.

Mr Balakrishnan, however, did not specify the total nummber of polling officers to be inside the booth. Currently, five poll personnel are allowed inside the booth.

He, however, made it clear that no water boy would be allowed to stay inside the polling booth. Only on demand from the poll personnel, he would go inside and return after serving water, Mr Balakrishnan added.

West Bengal goes to polls for the fourth and fifth phase on May 3 and 8 respectively. While 57 assembly seats, comprising Murshidabad, Birbhum and Burdwan districts', elections are slated for May 3, the remaining 49 seats in six districts of North Bengal will go to the polls on May 8.

Malda, South and North Dinajpur, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Coochbehar districts' polls are in the last phase.

Mr Balakrishnan and State Chief Electoral Officer Debashish Sen today visited different areas of Birbhum district to oversee the preparedness for the poll process and security measure.

They also discussed details about arrangement being made for all 12 Assembly constituencies in the district with the local adminstration. District magistrate Khalil Ahmed and police super intendent Sanjay Singh represented the district.

Mr Balakrishnan also directed the expenditure observers to keep watch on the candidates whether they were maintaining the model code of conduct during electioneering.

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