Arrangements were in place for Monday’s polling in the six Assembly constituencies in Thoothukudi district, where 85 candidates were in the fray, Collector and District Election Officer M. Ravikumar said here on Sunday.
A total of 1,797 electronic voting machines (EVMs) and 2,088 ballot units were despatched to 1,562 polling booths in Thoothukudi, Kovilpatti, Tiruchendur, Srivaikuntam, Vilathikulam and Ottapidaram (Reserved) constituencies with security.
As many as 129 zonal parties were on the move to ensure that polling materials were despatched to all booths safely, he said.
Ninety six of the 1,562 polling booths were identified as vulnerable and additional forces had been deployed there.
Apart from 2,088 local police personnel, 945 personnel from Central Reserve Police Force were deployed.
Mr. Ravikumar told The Hindu that the election process in 929 polling booths would be webcast. A total of 7,981 polling staff would be engaged in the booths and work orders had been given to them.
Each polling booth would be manned by a presiding officer and four polling officers. In the booths with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail system, one more polling officer would be deployed, he said.
Apart from dedicated teams for queue management, 300 wheelchair assistants were deputed as volunteers to help differently abled persons in booths. About 82 per cent of voter slips had been distributed.
Those without electoral photo identity card or voter slip could use any of the 11 documents specified by the Election Commission to cast their votes.
Following the rain since Sunday morning, the EVMs were covered with polythene bags, Mr. Ravikumar said. Adequate stock of bags was available in polling booths.
Since rain had been predicted on Monday, precautionary measures had been taken to ensure smooth conduct of polling. A team had been formed to monitor and solve rain-related problems in booths.
Precaution
Thoothukudi Corporation had kept ready schools, colleges, marriage halls and community halls to accommodate people in case of emergency, Corporation Commissioner R. Poongodi Arumaikan said in a statement.
People could contact phone numbers 9488240099, 0461- 2326901, 2326902 and 2326903 any time. People were asked to consume boiled water during rainy days to avoid water-borne diseases, the statement added.
