Election Commission aims at 75 per cent polling in Jharkhand

Ranchi: State election commission is putting in efforts to take the polling percentage of the state up to 75 per cent in the upcoming Parliamentary elections in Jharkhand. This was informed today by the chief election officer of the state PK Jajoria.

Jajoria said the Election Commission had launched an awareness campaign for voters to ensure that the average polling percentage goes up by a whopping margin of 25 per cent. He said last Parliamentary elections in the state had seen around 51 per cent voters of the state participating in voting. This time round, the Commission wants to take the percentage of polling up to 75 per cent.

�We are organizing various voters� awareness campaign all over the state to increase the polling percentage. This is being done in each of the constituencies well ahead of the election. If the overall turnout increases by 20 to 25 per cent, this will take the final percentage to around 75,� Jajoria said.

The chief election officer said the state Election Commission was putting in every possible effort to make sure that voters cast their vote fearlessly in a peaceful atmosphere. For this purpose, a heavy deployment of paramilitary and armed police forces is being made all over the state, he said.

Jajoria further said that sufficient number of micro observers and invigilators will be deputed during election to take the polling percentage at higher levels.

�We are organizing roadshows and also taking help of various organizations to create awareness among the voters. There will be facility for drinking water in each booth. There will also be facility of toilet for women and ramp for physically challenged and aged voters at the booths,� Jajoria said.

All election booths of the state will be connected to the district returning officer and the Election Commission. Voters will be provided voter�s slip five days ahead of the election by the booth level officer.

Voters may also get information about their polling booths through Internet and SMS. A helpline number (1905) has also been provided at the office of the chief election officer of the state for providing information regarding elections to any citizen, Jajoria said.