BENGALURU: Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) comprises 28 assemblies, of which 19 are expenditure-sensitive, and steps will be taken to curb inducements with an increased vigil by election observers, BBMP Chief Commissioner and District Election Officer Tushar Girinath said on Wednesday. The Election Commission has fixed May 10 as the polling date, and counting on May 13.
Girinath said there are 8,615 polling stations, of which 2,217 are critical. CRPF battalions will join the police force, and on the day of polling, there will be live streaming. “These polling stations are termed critical due to their polling history: 90 per cent polling, with over 75 per cent voting in favour of a particular candidate, many single voters, violence, attempts to rig and other factors,” said Girinath. An app is being developed to give details of polling booths, queues and parking areas near the station to encourage voters, he added.
Returning Officers have been appointed for all 28 constituencies. During nomination, the candidate can file nominations at their office addresses.
“Returning Officers and Assistant Returning Officers will be responsible for everything in their jurisdiction, with regard to the election process,” Girinath said. Deputy commissioners of police, income-tax officers, excise officials and commercial tax officials will work under additional district election officers.
To enforce the election code of conduct, 11 checkposts have been created in Bengaluru constituencies bordering Tamil Nadu. With regard to first-time voters, he said the earlier published final list has over 1 lakh voters, and hopes that more youngsters will enrol, and the list could go up to 1.30 lakh new voters. “Additions can be made to the voters’ list till April 10,” said Girinath.
On ballot voting for those aged over 80, and persons with disabilities, the commissioner said a house-to-house survey will be done, and steps taken. To aid them at polling booths, permanent ramps are being installed, and work will be completed by March 31.
With regard to violation of poll code and freebies, Girinath said 27 cases have been booked so far and over Rs 15 lakh in cash seized in Bengaluru Central. Items like sarees, cookers, silver and sewing machines have been seized.