As Phase II draws closer, several booths relocated

PATNA: With the second phase of Lok Sabha polls less than a week away, the district magistrates-cum-district electoral officers and senior officials are busy with sending electronic voting machines (EVMs) to the polling booths and equipping them with other facilities, including live webcast.
Five constituencies – Banka, Bhagalpur, Katihar, Kishanganj and Purnia – will go to the polls in the second phase on April 18.
The second phase will see relocation of eight booths in Banka, Bhagalpur and Kishanganj either due to the dilapidated condition of the existing buildings or security reasons.
Banka DM Kundan Kuma said of the 1,816 polling stations in the constituency, six were shifted to other locations due to security reasons. “Relocation of booths was necessitated due to Maoist threat. The six relocated booths were in Maoist-hit Belhar and Katoria blocks. These booths have been relocated to the government school buildings in nearby areas,” the DM added.
Kishanganj DM Himanshu Kumar said only one booth was relocated in the town area. “The booth has been shifted to the government school located on the same campus. The Election Commission of India has approved relocation of the booth. The new polling station is hardly 7m away from the previous one,” Kumar said.
The DM said live webcast facility would be available at 14 polling stations while 10 booths have been earmarked for women voters. There are altogether 1,626 polling booths in Kishanganj constituency.
A polling station was also relocated in Bhagalpur constituency. Bhagalpur additional district magistrate Rajesh Jha Raja said the new polling booth is located close to the dilapidated one in Sabour area. “At least 50 polling booths will be equipped with live webcast facility in the district. Eight booths are for women voters,” he said.
Over 300 polling stations have been added at 14 locations in Purnia constituency over the period of one year, said DM Pradeep Jha. “We have inspected all the polling stations and they are in good condition. Shades have been created for the convenience of the voters,” the DM said.
Additional chief electoral officer Sanjay Kumar Singh said the DMs have been asked to ensure availability of basic facilities at every booth. “For differently-abled voters, there will be separate voting compartment and entry and exit points. The booths will have drinking water, toilet and help desk facilities,” Singh added.