EC turns down proposal to increase Rajasthan polling booths

JAIPUR: The Election Commission (EC) has turned down the state’s proposal to increase the number of polling booths in Rajasthan.
After witnessing an increase of 12 lakh voters, the office of chief electoral officer (CEO) on March 26 forwarded a proposal to add 266 polling booths for hassle-free voting. However, the proposal was rejected and polling will be conducted in 51,965 booths as planned earlier.
The state had proposed maximum number of booths (46) in Jaipur district. Rajasthan is a significant state from the electoral perspective as 4.85 crore voters come from the state. According to officials, auxiliary booths are required if number of voters are more than 1,400 at one polling station. An official informed, “The EC has pointed out that polling percentage on the booths in the desired areas was between 60-65%. Possibilities of voters lining up to cast vote is minimal. Therefore, it is not required to set up additional booths,” he said. After the poll dates are announced, new applicants continue to register themselves in Rajasthan. According to an election department Form 6, meant for new registration or addition to the voters' list, are being received from across the state. So far, Jaipur received highest number of Forms 6 (for addition to voters' list), followed by Jodhpur and Udaipur. Rajasthan will vote to elect 25 MPs to the 17th Lok Sabha in the fourth and fifth phases of the Lok Sabha elections. Rajasthan will vote on April 29 and May 6.
According to sources, the officials CEO also met the representatives from all various political parties and apprised them about the revised voters' list. The new voters can check entry of their names on the voters' list on www.ceorajasthan.nic.in and www.nvsp.in. They can also get the information through Raj-Election app or by the dialling the call centre number of the district election officer-1950.