Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey visited poll-bound Gujarat on Tuesday to review poll preparedness for forthcoming Gujarat elections.
There are about 4.83 crore registered voters in Gujarat. 51,782 polling stations will be set up in 182 assembly constituencies.
Criminals contesting elections
On the issue of criminals contesting the polls, CEC Kuma said that the Election Commission has decided that every candidate with criminal background will have to publish in newspapers boldly about criminal cases against him/her.
“Political parties have to give justification if they chose a candidate with criminal antecedents. Such candidates will have to advertise thrice about their criminal records so that citizens can make informed decisions.” said Kumar.
Senior citizens, disabled people, first-time voters
Kumar said, “If someone is not able to come to the poll booth to vote, we will go home and collect votes. The complete voting procedure will be videographed. In fact, representatives of all political parties can be present. This time we are focusing on senior citizens, disabled people, women and first-time voters. Participation of every voter is necessary.”
- Utmost care will be taken that political parties do not ferry voters to the polling booth. No one can force voters. People will have to go on their own.
- Income tax, GST, police and other departments are also instructed to keep illicit political funding in check.
- Harassment of voters will not be tolerated at any cost. Special care will be taken to enforce discipline.
- Usage of any form of drugs, liquor or substance abuse in the vicinity of the polling booth will be strictly restricted.
