Target of 85 per cent turnout, festive atmosphere in booths; Election Commission set to overhaul Kerala elections

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Election Commission is preparing to attract maximum voters by creating a festive atmosphere in the election booths. The target is 85 per cent polling. It is hoped that after the cleansing work done through SIR, issuing voter identity cards to everyone, and including all eligible voters in the voter list, a record will be achieved this time.

The Election Commission suggested decorating the polling booths using locally available materials. Funds have also been allocated for this. In addition, 100 per cent webcasting will be done at polling stations. Tents, drinking water, fans, queue-skipping facilities, and chairs for the elderly will be provided for voters to rest. A separate space will also be set up to store mobile phones.

Voters with disabilities and senior citizens will be given priority at polling booths on polling day. Ramps and wheelchairs will be set up at the booths. Electronic voting machines with Braille facilities for the visually impaired, special volunteers for assistance, and sign language assistance where necessary will also be made available. Transportation facilities will be provided to take the differently-abled to the polling stations, the Election Commission said.

To spread the word about voting and get more people involved, proclamation marches will be held in constituencies today. A massive 'illumination' march will also be held in district centres, raising the slogan "My Vote, My Pride." The Chief Electoral Officer said that the aim is to enter the Limca Book of Records by demonstrating the mobile phone flashlights of 70,000 people at a time.