One refreshing change that was noticeable near almost all polling stations during the general elections in this district was the absence of political party representatives anywhere nearby.
The Election Commission had issued orders restricting the parties and their offices 200 meters away from the polling stations. It also confiscated the job of distribution of voter slips from their hands—a task which would otherwise keep the cadre on tenterhooks as was the wont in all previous elections.
Though the parties were permitted to erect a tent beyond the limit of 200 meters, none of the parties seemed keen on availing this facility, as no tents could be seen anywhere in the vicinity of polling stations. In the interior villages, a few party workers were seen sporting scarves with their party colours. Other than that, the saffron, red, yellow, pink, and tricolour were conspicuous by their absence.
