Maoist affected areas of Chhattisgarh to have webcasting of polling in coming assembly elections: Election Commission

Raipur, September 1: In order to have a smooth election in the state of Chhattisgarh, Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat today said arrangements will be made for webcasting of polling in the Maoist affected areas of Chhattisgarh in the coming assembly elections.

 

Talking to reporters in Raipur, after a two-day visit to the poll-bound state, he said the webcasting facility will be provided at all those places where internet connectivity is available.

This would help monitoring at all levels for the smooth conduct of elections. For the safety and security of polling parties to be deployed in the left wing extremism affected areas, Rawat said arrangements would be made to deploy sufficient helicopters so that the entire polling parties can return with EVM machines after polling is over.

He said elections in Chhattisgarh would be held as per schedule and there is no possibility of deferring the assembly polls and hold it along with the Lok Sabha elections.

Rawat said all steps are being taken to ensure free, fair and inclusive elections. For the first time, accessibility observers are being deployed to help out disabled and people with other special needs to ensure their participation in the election process.

He said such persons are being identified so that facilities like wheelchair could be provided to them to reach the polling station.

During its two day visit to Raipur, the full bench of election commission, headed by chief election commissioner O P Rawat, had discussions with political parties and invited their suggestions.

The commission also had a meeting with Election officials, returning officers, SPs and senior civil and police officials to review the poll preparations in the state.