Maharashtra Assembly Elections: EC prepares for voting day on Oct 21

Maharashtra is gearing up for the Assembly Elections 2019 to be held in a single phase on Monday. Keeping in mind the diverse electorate, special arrangements have been made for Divyang (specially-abled), women and senior citizen voters in every poll booth. The Election Commission has a stated goal of ensuring access to a poll booth for every section of the society.

Pink polling booth for women

In what seems to be a first, pink polling station named 'Sakhi' has been set up in Mumbai's Dharavi area which will be run by women. "There are a total of 283 polling booths in Dharavi out of which 120 booths are temporary structures which are waterproof. One preceding officer and three polling officers have also been deployed at each booth and these teams have been trained at least thrice. They have been provided with the EVMs and other polling materials this morning," said Ravindra Hajare, Returning Officer (RO).

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Welcoming Divyang voters

Earlier on Sunday, October 20, polling parties left for their respective polling booths, ahead of election day. Hajare also informed that wheelchairs and special vehicles for disabled voters are arranged by election authorities. "We will pick them up from their residence and bring them to the polling booths so that they can cast their votes. Volunteers, medical teams and Anganwadi Sevikas are also present at every booth," he added.

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Preparations to dispatch EVMs, VVPATs to poll booths underway

The Returning Officer further informed that Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) were thoroughly checked during the checking process. The machines are being handed over to every booth on Sunday. "Preparations to dispatch EVMs and VVPATs to polling centres are underway at EVM distribution centres in Colaba and Sewri", Hajare said.

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CM Fadnavis on the ballot in Nagpur

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis is contesting for his re-election from the Nagpur South West seat. Fadnavis will be facing off with as many as 19 other candidates, 10 of whom are independent candidates according to the poll body. He is challenged by Ashish Deshmukh who is fielded as a joint candidate of the Congress-NCP alliance.

Curtains drew on campaigning in Maharashtra and Haryana to elect a new Legislative Assembly on October 19. A total number of 3,237 candidates are contesting the Maharashtra polls this year on 288 constituencies. The State has 8.9 crore eligible voters. Counting of votes will commence on October 24.

(With inputs from ANI)

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