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The collectors of most of the districts affected by Left wing extremism have raised concern on the lack of mobile and road connectivity, a factor that can impair voter turnout in these areas.
The district officials spelt out the concerns at a meeting held to review poll preparedness in Odisha. Both the Lok Sabha and assembly elections are scheduled to be held in the state in two phases on April 10 and 17.
Taking note of the concerns, Mona Sharma, chief electoral officer (Odisha) said satellite phones or WLL (wireless in local loop) phones would be used in areas where mobile connectivity is lacking.
Deputy Election Commissioner Alok Shukla said, “The Election Commission (EC) would ensure full-fledged security cover for the candidates during their campaign in the Naxal hit districts.”
“In order to increase the voter turnout in the state, we are organising special camps in colleges and universities. By organising various kinds of competitions among the students, we are trying to increase the turnout,” he added.
Shukla said, the special drive launched by the EC in Odisha on March 9, saw 209,615 left out voters applying for inclusion of their names in the electoral rolls. Their applications would be disposed off in 10 days, he informed.
At the review meeting, Shukla discussed various issues related to poll expenditure by candidates and parties, security to candidates and deployment of adequate para-military forces with the district collectors, superintendents of police, and other top officials of income tax and excise department. He expressed satisfaction over the efforts made by officials to ensure free and fair polls in the state.
To a query on donations by corporate houses to political parties in the state, Shukla said, “Corporate houses can contribute in order to get income tax exemption. However, they need to intimate it to the EC.” The state government has sought choppers and adequate para-military forces for the polls. “The choppers would be used for emergency rescue operations in the cut-off areas during polls. They would also be used to station the polling parties in their respective booths in cut-off areas. The collectors have been asked to chalk out the strategies,” said Sharma.
