By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI:Polling for the General Elections for the Legislative Assemblies of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Phase-I) and the bye-elections in 3 ACs of 2 States (Gujarat and Maharashtra) began today at 7:00 AM.
Tamil Nadu with 84.69% and West Bengal (Phase-I) with 92.32% recorded the highest- ever poll-participation since Independence. Previously, the highest poll-participation in Tamil Nadu was 78.29% (2011 GELA) and in West Bengal was 84.72% (2011 GELA) respectively.
Chief Election Commissioner Shri Gyanesh Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Dr. S.S. Sandhu and Dr. Vivek Joshi kept a close watch on the polling through live webcasting which was ensured in 100% of the Polling Stations in both the states.
Several new voter-friendly initiatives such as easily identifiable colour photos of candidates on EVM ballot papers, Mobile Deposit Facility (MDF), newly designed Voter Information Slips (VIS) for easy readability and limit of electors upto 1,200 per polling station were ensured in these elections.
Polling stations were also provided with wheelchairs and volunteers to assist PwD voters. Transport facility was also provided to assist PwD voters in reaching their respective polling stations.
