Warning against seeking votes on the basis of caste, religion

Stating that the Election Commission will book criminal case against political parties and candidates if they sought votes on the basis of caste and religion, Sasikanth Senthil S., Election Officer and Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada, on Friday asked people to complain against such instances, if any.

Addressing presspersons, he said that seeking votes inside one’s house on the basis of caste and religion is also a crime. If the commission receives any evidence, such persons and parties would be booked. He warned that the commission would consider such instances seriously. People could lodge complaints on Ph: 0824-2420002 or the toll free number 1800-425-2099. Complaints can also be sent to the WhatsApp number: 8277163522.

He said that the commission has released hand-outs to create awareness among people on the issue. They would be distributed on the doorsteps of citizens.

Mr. Senthil said that voter slips would be distributed on the doorsteps of voters only till May 6. Those who did not get them could collect them from their polling stations on May 7. Voter slips would not be distributed on the polling day [May 12]. The commission would take back undistributed slips into its possession after May 7. It is to prevent their misuse. However, producing such slips for voting is not a must. It only helped in identifying the polling stations easily. A voter can vote with the help of Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) and other identity proofs listed out by the commission.

He said that the last date for submitting applications for postal ballot is May 8. No applications would be entertained later than that date. Hence, polling staff, police personnel, drivers should adhere to the deadline.

The Election Officer said that 25 companies of the Central Paramilitary Force would be deployed for security on the polling day. In addition, there would be striking forces and police personnel.

Women staff

Of the polling staff who would be on duty in the district, about 64 % were women. They constituted 6,988 of the 10,980 staff. There were 3,922 men.

It was because the commission has taken the services of anganwadi and ASHA workers.