By IANS,
Kolkata : The Election Commission (EC) will directly monitor the poll process in vulnerable polling booths across West Bengal through webcasting, a senior official said Wednesday.
“In a never before initiative, EC will monitor the poll proceedings in all the booths from the start of the poll to till it gets over by using technology like SMS services and geographic information system (GIS). In some critical booths, web casting will be conducted for better and effective monitoring of the process,” Chief Electoral Officer Sunil Gupta said.
With the introduction of SMS-based poll monitoring system, the EC will be able to get time to time information about the polling status and law and order situation in all 70,124 polling booths across the state through messages send by the presiding officers.
“An SMS service for informing voters about their constituency, polling stations and other details, has been introduced. By sending an SMS to 93363333, voters will get all election related information. People can also get the information by dialing toll free number 1965.
“The commission has also decided to depute one micro observer in the critical booths who will be working as the eye and ears of the concerned observer. He will be working directly under the observer,” he said.
Adding that strong force will be deployed in all polling stations, he said: “Force will be deployed according the vulnerability and sensitivity of the areas. The total force deployment pattern has been changed after vulnerability mapping and sensitivity analysis of the polling stations was conducted.
“Apart from making a list of list of possible intimidators, we have also made a list of vulnerable population, people who feel threatened,” Gupta said.
“Rather than taking action against the possible intimidators, we are keeping close watch on them and simultaneously, poll officials are constantly communicating with the vulnerable population to build up their confidence,” he said.
Gupta, however, refused to divulge the exact number of vulnerable booths and whether armed security personnel will be deployed at all polling stations.
“I cannot divulge the details of the security design. We will try our best to deploy armed security personnel in all polling booths, but I can assure you that security arrangement will be strong and adequate than the previous election,” added Gupta.