Model polling station in every mandal: Collector Praveen Kumar

Eluru: District Collector Praveen Kumar has announced that model polling stations will be set up in every mandal by this month-end to create awareness among people on the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPATs).

He reviewed poll arrangements in the district from New Delhi on Saturday night through teleconference. He went to Delhi to attend a training programme on elections.

Praveen Kumar said that an exhibition would be arranged in every village on the use of EVMs and VVPATs. The awareness programme should be conducted in a room rather than in open place, he directed the officials.

The Collector told the officials to accept or reject the applications received for changes in voter lists before March 7. A total of 70,000 applications are pending with requests for changes in voter lists. 

Mostly, the applications were received from Eluru, Bhimavaram, Palakollu and Tadepalligudem constituencies, he added.

The ramps being constructed in polling stations to help the differently-abled persons should be completed by this month-end. As three meetings were organised in this regard, there is no compromise on completion of works and there is no room for delay, he said. 

The Collector directed the officials to submit the layout plans relating to polling stations for conduct of MLC elections. 

All the training classes being conducted in connection with legislative council polls should be finished by February-end.

Joint Collector M Venugopal Reddy said that extensive campaigning was being organised in villages over the use of EVMs and VVPATs.