More 1st timer to press EVM in Himachal Assembly poll: CEC

Chief Election Commissioner of India Rajiv Kumar said here today that attempts was made to allow more first timers to press the button of electronic Voting Machine  on achieving 18 yrs of age   on October 1st, 2022 could caste their votes. Earlier to this  youth who have completed 18 years on Ist January of the Election year was allowed  to vote.  For this, they have to get their vote made in advance.  The Chief Election Commissioner said that youth who have completed 17 years of age could also file applications so that their vote could be made voters as soon as they complete 18 years of age. The ECI would also find the data polling data of low turnout Assembly Constituency especially Dharmpur, Kasumpti, Shimla and Solan as the turn out in some pocket of urban area was found very low. He said polling booths where the turnout below fifty to sixty percent to be focus for launching SVEEP drive and efforts would be made to stop the practice of boycott of poll. The official were being asked to take cognizance of any such people persuading People to adopt other measures to concede their demand rather boycotting election. 

ECI seemed tough with criminals incidences during electioneering also emphasize special provisions to make accountable Police, Administrative and Excise officers. If any incidences and attempt or cases of distribution of Wine, narcotics and money use would trace the accountability would also be fixed on concern officers besides the culprits. Criminal record to be made public to the candidate. The party will have to make public about the candidate having criminal background.  For this every voter will have to tell thrice through the media that I have this criminal record.  It will also be available on Know My Candidates app.  The criminal record of each candidate will be told on this app.  Income tax, excise, police, mining, banks and airports have been asked to be vigilant in elections. He said that web casting would be done from more than 4 thousand polling stations across the state.  Its direct monitoring will be done from the office of the Election Commission. Rajiv Kumar said that there are total 7880 polling stations in the state and out of these total 7235 polling stations are in rural areas.  Women will be stationed in 142 polling stations and security will also be done by women police.  Have asked to keep an eye on the mafia of the state and 2200 such criminals who are missing for a long time.  It has also been asked to keep in mind that such criminals do any wrong during the election time. Rajiv Kumar said that the tenure of the state government is being completed on January 8, 2023.  There are total 48 general, 17 scheduled caste and three tribal assembly constituencies in the state.  A total of 53.80 lakh voters are registered in the state.  Of these, voters above 100 years of age are 1294.  The physically challenged voters are 67,793. State likely to go for poll till November 15, 2022 as the tenure of 13th state assembly going to expire till January 8, 2023.