In addition to the Election Commission’s observers, micro-observers will be deployed in polling stations in the Kozhikode and the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituencies to ensure that polling is fair.
As many as 227 micro-observers, chosen from among gazetted officers in Central and State services, have been appointed in the district. They were given training at a programme on Friday. The micro-observers will report to poll observers Ashok Kumar Sanvaria and Ramankumar.
Preparations for the elections are nearing completion. It was announced on Friday that webcasting facilities will be installed in 54 polling booths in the district. This is being done with support of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd. Keltron and Akshaya centres are also associated with the programme. The facilities will be ready by April 8. Webcasting will be on from morning on the election day till polling ends.
District Collector C.A. Latha, who is also the District Election Officer, said less than one lakh ballot papers would be used in the Lok Sabha polls in Vadakara and Kozhikode this time owing to the introduction of electronic voting machines. In previous elections, nearly 25 lakh ballot papers had to be printed for use in these two constituencies.
Ms. Latha warned that officials assigned for election duty who did not attend training sessions would have to face punishment, including arrest, under the provisions of the Representation of People Act.
