Over 74 lakh in north Chennai take pledge to cast vote
CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) on Saturday received Elite World Records and India Records Academy awards after 4.10 lakh people in north Chennai took a pledge within 12 hours to vote in the upcoming election. This is the maximum number of pledges in the poll period.
It’s noteworthy that the civic body has taken various measures to create awareness to ensure 100% voting in the Lok Sabha election this year.
While addressing the media, district election officer and GCC Commissioner J Radhakrishnan said that voters’ turnout has reduced in the election in the last few years especially in major cities.
“In Lok Sabha 2019, over 64% votes were registered in the north Chennai constituency, which is the highest in Chennai district, followed by central Chennai with 58.72% and south Chennai constituency with 58%,” added Radhakrishnan. “To ensure 100% voting in the upcoming election, the returning officer of north region, Katta Ravi Theja, has created awareness among residents and took the pledge to vote. It has received the maximum number of pledges from 4.10 lakh people in 12 hours.”
Meanwhile, over 3,500 staff drafted for election duty were absent for the initial training session on March 24.
The local body has conducted supplementary training sessions for the officers in charge of polling booths.
Radhakrishnan stated, “There were valuable reasons provided by the absentees such as chronic diseases and transfers but not changed in the record. Though only 14,800 staff for polling stations are required in the city, we have an additional 20% of officials and training will be provided as per ECI guidelines.”
As per the Model Code of Conduct, flying squads and static surveillance team had seized Rs 9.08 crore worth cash, gold and other items. As many as 147 complaints were received through C-vigil and toll free phone numbers.