1,200 vulnerable polling stations in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, May 2: The Election Commission has identified around 1,200 vulnerable polling stations in Kerala, but expressed satisfaction over the way things were shaping up for the May 16 assembly elections.

There will be a total of 21,000 polling booths, of which 800 would be model polling stations, and 250 would be all-women manned polling booths.

The poll panel has deployed 47 general observers, 14 police observers and 40 expenditure observers for strict supervision and monitoring of the poll process.

Besides, there would be central forces in sensitive areas to instil confidence among the voters.

Addressing reporters here, Chief Election Commissioner Nasim Zaidi on Monday said they held discussions with all people working to see free and fair elections.

"We have identified 1,200 vulnerable polling booths based on certain parameters. Most of them are in districts like Kannur, Kozhikode and Kasargode. There will be webcasting on polling day in these booths. Static video cameras and micro observers would also be posted," said Zaidi.

As in the past, women outnumber men in the latest electoral rolls. There are 1,33,01,435 women and 1,23,26,185 men voters.

"The final voters list would be published on May 5. We want the poll percentage to cross 80 percent and for that we have asked all officials to see that maximum people are brought to the polling booths," Zaidi said.

--IANS

sg/pm/dg