Rationalised list of polling stations in Vellore released

VELLORE: The draft list of rationalised polling stations in the five assembly constituencies in Vellore was released by district Collector A Shanmuga Sundaram in the presence of representatives of political parties on Friday.

This follows the Election Commission of India issuing orders to rationalise polling stations due to the pandemic situation. The ECI order called for the creation of new polling stations if an existing one had more than 1,500 voters, shifting it from old to new buildings, shifting it to a new location if new building was unavailable in the existing location, merging two stations while ensuing not more than 1,500 voters, changing nomenclature in case the school where the station is located had changed its name, and merging two polling station sections to ensure the minimum number of voters, officials said.

While change of nomenclature was effected in the Vellore (21), KV Kuppam (78) and Gudiyattam (4) Assembly segments, merging of sections was effected in Katpadi (4), Vellore (2) and Anaicut (21) constituencies, the Collector said.

Changes of buildings/sections was effected in Katpadi (5), Vellore (3), Anaicut (6), KV Kuppam (9) and Gudiyattam (26) Assembly segments. While no new polling stations were created in Katpadi and Vellore segments, Anaicut, KV Kuppam and Gudiyattam constituencies accounted for 1, 9 and 21 new polling stations respectively.

Complaints, if any, should be lodged within seven days of the rationalised list of polling stations being affixed at the Vellore RDO’s office, Vellore Corporation and in the office of the District Election Officer, officials said.