“Uttar Pradesh set for fair and peaceful polling on ten seats in the third phase of LS polls on May 7”.

Lok Sabha 24 : Lucknow – As the stage is set for the third phase of the Lok Sabha General Elections 2024 on May 7, Uttar Pradesh’s Chief Electoral Officer, Shri Navdeep Rinwa, has appealed to voters, urging them to participate in large numbers. A total of 10 seats are in Uttar Pradesh are going to polls in the third phase.  

* The constituencies scheduled for elections in this phase include Sambhal, Hathras, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etah, Badaun, Aonla, and Bareilly, spanning across 12 districts of the state. With all necessary arrangements in place, the electoral machinery is geared towards ensuring a transparent and impartial voting process. Eligible voters can vote until 6:00 PM at their respective polling stations.

* The Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Navdeep Rinwa, provided detailed statistics regarding the upcoming third phase of elections. He disclosed that there are 1,89,14,788 eligible voters, comprising 1,01,44,345 males, 87,69,696 females, and 747 third gender voters. Agra boasts the highest number of voters at 20,72,685, while Etah has the lowest with 17,524 registered voters in their respective Lok Sabha constituencies.

* In this phase, 100 candidates, including eight women, are vying for seats across the 10 Lok Sabha constituencies. Bareilly tops the list with 13 candidates, whereas Firozabad has the fewest contenders with 7. The electoral landscape comprises 20,415 polling booths and 12,339 polling stations for the convenience of voters. Notably, 4,390 polling places have been identified as critical for close monitoring during the election process.

* To keep a vigilant eye on the voting, the Commission has also deployed 3 special observers, 10 general observers, 6 police observers, and 14 expenditure observers. Apart from this, 1887 Sector Magistrates, 241 Zonal Magistrates, 668 Static Magistrates, and 2859 Micro Observers have also been deployed.

* 4783 heavy vehicles, 5462 light vehicles, and 88420 polling personnel have been deployed to conduct the election process. 25819 EVM control units, 25819 ballot units, and 27597 VVPATs have been prepared for voting in the elections. 

* An adequate strength of paramilitary forces have been deployed to conduct the elections peacefully. The responsibility of security of the strong room has also been entrusted to paramilitary forces. In addition to paramilitary forces/police forces, arrangements have also been made for air ambulances and helicopters for medical assistance in case of emergency. The location of the helicopter will be in Agra on 6th and 7th May and the location of the air ambulance will be in Bareilly on 7th May. 

* He said, “Arrangements have been made for live webcasting at 50 percent polling places (10208 polling places), which will be supervised at all three levels by the District Election Officer, Chief Electoral Officer, and Election Commission of India. Apart from this, there will also be arrangements for videography at 3503 polling places. In the third phase, a total of 370 model polling places, 79 all-women managed polling places, 39 all youth worker polling places, and 47 all disabled managed polling places have been created.”

* Voter Information Slip has been distributed by the Election Commission of India through the District Election Officer, through which voters will be able to know about their current polling place and serial number. Voter slips have been distributed to a total of 1,87,08,616 voters for the third phase. Apart from this, voters can also get information about their polling place through the Voter Helpline App and the website of the Election Commission of India.

* 37,34,852 voter guides have been distributed in the districts of the third phase. A total of 12,45,216 voter photo identity cards have been distributed from October 27, 2023, to May 4, 2024. During the voting period, all the BLOs will be present at the helpdesk with the alphabetical locator voter list and assist the coming voters. Arrangements for wheelchairs and volunteers have been made at polling stations for disabled voters.

* As per the instructions of the Election Commission of India, in addition to the voter photo identity card, 12 other identity cards (Aadhaar card, MGNREGA job card, passbook with photo issued by banks/post offices, health insurance smart card issued under the scheme of the Ministry of Labor, driving license) , PAN Card, Smart Card issued by RGI under NPR, Indian Passport, Pension Document with photograph, Service Identity Card with photograph issued by Central / State Government / PSU / Public Limited Companies to their employees, MPs, MLAs, Legislators Government identity cards and Unique Disability ID (UDID) cards issued to Council members, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India) will be valid for identification of voters at the polling place.

* Any complaint related to voting can be lodged by calling toll-free number 18001801950. Apart from this, complaints can also be lodged on C-VIGIL, NGSP/VHA. In the second phase, a total of 794 complaints have been registered on C-Vigil from March 16, 2024 to May 6, 2024. Out of these, 456 complaints were found true and 338 complaints false. Out of a total of 456 complaints, 419 complaints have been resolved within 100 minutes. As of now, the average time for disposal of complaints in the entire state is 47 minutes, which is less than the prescribed time period of 100 minutes.

* In the third phase, liquor, cash drugs, etc. worth Rs 22.65 crore have been seized from March 16, 2024, to May 6, 2024.

* Given the prevailing heatwave conditions, comprehensive arrangements have been implemented at polling stations to ensure the comfort and well-being of voters. These include provision for shaded areas, cool drinking water, restroom facilities, and clear signage guiding voters throughout the queue. Additionally, seating arrangements, including chairs and benches, have been arranged to accommodate the elderly, women, and disabled individuals. Furthermore, adequate supplies of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) and medical kits have been stocked, with paramedics, and ASHA workers on standby to address any health-related concerns. Police and security personnel have undergone training to interact with voters courteously, fostering a conducive and cooperative atmosphere at the polling stations.