2K more poll booths for 25L new voters in Maha Chatbot, election guide to help raise LS turnout

MUMBAI: The addition of around 25 lakh new voters in Maharashtra has led to an increase of 2,000 more polling booths in the state.

The recent drive, for registration of new voters, between September 2018 and January 2019 revealed that 2,000 more polling booths need to be added in the state from its erstwhile number of 95,473.

The drive saw an increase in number of voters by 8.73 crore from 8.48 crore voters in September last year. It also saw an addition of around 32 lakh new voters against the deletion of as many as 7.29 lakh voters. The deletions were owing to the deaths and shifting of residence. Ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, 8.73 crore people are now eligible to cast their vote.

The rise in polling stations has also led to increase in number of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMS) and the VVPATS (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail).

“Some polling booths have exceeded their benchmark number of 1,400 voters after addition of the voters. We will have to create new booths at these polling stations to reduce the number of voters. We will also try to keep number of voters close to 1,000 voters per booth, to avoid long queues. In the wake of the introduction of VVPATS, which display paper trail for seven seconds after voting, more time will be required per voter,” said an official from the office of chief electoral officer of the state.

More polling stations have also led to the rise in number of EVMS and VVPATS.

“We are getting 1.34 lakh VVPATS and 2.40 lakh EVMS to cover the booths which are expected to be more than 97,000,” said Anil Valvi, joint chief electoral officer.

The Lok Sabha elections are scheduled between April and May, the awareness campaigns will begin in March. MUMBAI: In order to encourage citizens to cast their vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, city-based non-governmental organisations (NGOS) are planning campaigns which will help increase voter turnout.

The Litmus Test Project (LTP), working towards active citizenship, plans to raise awareness via a chatbot, release a voters’ guide and collaborate with Twitter to release videos which will carry messages on the importance of voting. “Through a voters’ guide, we are looking to help people make an informed decision. They will be informed about the role of a MP, and the various aspects and issues that one must look at while deciding their vote,” said Ruben Mascarenhas, co-founder, LTP.

The chatbot will help citizens know about their candidates and polling booths for the elections.