After Low Turnout In First Round, Ec Readies For Phase 2 | Lucknow News - Times of India

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Lucknow: Following lower

voter turnout

of 61.11 % in the first phase in comparison to 2019 (66.47%), the

poll body

has distributed over 32.48 lakh eight-page

voter guide

, as a confidence-building measure to ensure maximum electors reach

polling booths

and use their right for adult franchise.

According to chief electoral officer of Uttar Pradesh, Navdeep Rinwa, the booklet explains the polling process in an easy way, casting vote using EVM, dos and don'ts on poll day, assured minimum facilities for disabled voters and senior citizens and other things.

"Around 14% more voter guides were distributed in the second phase as compared to the first," he added.

In 2019, the eight parliamentary constituencies registered 62.76% voter turnout in the second phase, including Amroha 71.05% (highest among all constituencies), Meerut 64.29%, Baghpat 64.64%, Ghaziabad 55.89%, Gautam Budh Nagar 60.49%, reserved seat Bulandshahr 62.92%, Aligarh 61.68% and Mathura 61.08%.

According to Rinwa, a total of 17,704 polling booths have been set up at 7,797 polling stations. "Around 20% of the polling booths (3,472) have been identified as critical. Therefore, some 50% polling booths (8,852) will have live webcasts proceeding on Friday, that will ensure peaceful polling," the poll official said. The video recording and webcast recordings would be available for review later to examine complaints and grievances pertaining to illegal activities.

To avoid confusion, five days before the poll, the ground team of the polling body provided more than 1.66 crore voter slips. There are 1.67 crore eligible voters in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls.

A total of 91 candidates are going to fight it out with each other out of which 10 are women.

According to Rinwa, Ghaziabad has the highest number of voters (29.45 lakh), followed by Gautam Buddh Nagar 26.75 lakh, Meerut 20 lakh, Aligarh 19.97 lakh, Mathura 19.29 lakh, Bulandshahr 18.59 lakh, Amroha 17.16 lakh and Baghpat has the lowest voter count 16.53 lakh in the second phase.

Constituencies like Gautam Buddh Nagar and Mathura have 15 individuals each in the poll fray, while Aligarh and Ghaziabad have 14 each.

In another measure, the poll body is going to depute helicopters and air ambulances in Aligarh and Meerut to rescue security personnel or other staffers deputed on

election duties

in case of emergencies.

A total of 148 model polling stations are going to be set up in the second phase. Moreover, women staff members would be deputed to manage 53 booths while 35 would be managed by youths. Individuals with disabilities would be deputed to manage 32 booths.

Besides voter identity cards, 12 more types of identity cards issued by the government organisations would be accepted, including driving license, passport & PAN among others.