‘Improve amenities at polling booths’

PATNA: Electoral offices in different districts and the departments concerned involved in the poll process are taking various steps to ensure that the polling booths, especially the government schools, look better and have all the basic facilities for the voters during the parliamentary elections.
To upgrade the infrastructure and basic facilities, district magistrate-cum-electoral officers have asked block development officers and school managements to ensure that all polling booths housed in schools have basic amenities.
Patna DM-cum-district electoral officer Kumar Ravi told this newspaper that there will be altogether 4,620 polling booths in the district. At least 2,000 of them will be housed in government schools.
“BDOs have been asked to inspect government schools, where polling will take place and ensure that all facilities for voters are in place,” he said.
As per the instruction, all government schools which will be used as polling booths, will have basic amenities such as drinking water, toilets, medical kit, chairs or benches and power supply.
Altogether 7,06,03,778 voters in Bihar (3,73,07,904 male, 3,32,93,468 female and 2,406 transgender) will exercise their franchise at 72,723 polling booths in the upcoming general election.
Of 72,723 polling stations in Bihar, 4,620 are in Patna, 2,162 in Bhojpur, 1,265 in Buxar, 1,206 in Kaimur, 2,214 in Rohtas, 508 in Arwal, 857 in Jehanabad, 1,923 in Aurangabad, 3,108 in Gaya, 1,665 in Nawada, 1,263 in Jamui, 2,248 in Nalanda, 497 in Sheikhpura, 696 in Lakhisarai, 991 in Munger, 1,493 in Banka, 2,102 in Bhagalpur, 2,102 in Khagaria, 1,844 in Begusarai, 2,810 in Samastipur, 2,423 in Vaishali, 2,934 in Saran, 2,422 in Siwan, 1,906 in Gopalganj, 3,225 in Muzaffarpur, 2,755 in Darbhanga, 1,304 in Saharsa, 1,285 in Madhepura, 1,929 in Katihar, 2,057 in Purnia, 1,065 in Kishanganj, 1,723 in Araria, 1,459 in Supaul, 3,169 in Madhubani, 2,345 in Sitamarhi, 298 in Sheohar, 3,269 in East Champaran and 2,503 in West Champaran.
An official in state education department said almost all schools are equipped with basic amenities for the convenience of voters.