Gujarat is all geared up to vote for the third phase of the Lok Sabha election and bye-election to 5 seats scheduled on May 7. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has made all arrangements to ensure that a majority of voters step out and vote.

The ECI has taken steps to ease the condition of the voters. A B Patel, joint Electoral officer for Gujarat state said, “We are much concerned about the heat on May  7.  We will be dispatching a medical team for every 15 polling booths, which will have members of the government medical staff. Moreover, there will be ORS packets available at every polling booth, besides drinking water facilities and chairs for elderly and persons with disabilities (PwDs). Booths where there will be  direct sunlight, tents will be put up. 

50k plus booths in state

For polling in 25 Lok Sabha constituencies and 5 assembly constituencies, 50,782 polling booths have been set up. Each polling booth will have 5 officials. A total of 3.15 lakh polling staff will be engaged across the state on election day.  Moreover, a total of 1.5 lakh officials, including booth level officers, zonal officers and nodal officers will be engaged in poll duties. . 

Till date,  12,900 voters have cast their vote from home. As many as 2.95 lakh voters who are government employees and engaged in election duty will vote through ballots, the process of which is ongoing. . 

Security set-up

Twenty paramilitary companies have already been deployed in Gujarat by the Centre and services of 200 plus paramilitary companies have been sought, besides services of the state police. Leaves of police officials have been cancelled by the authorities once elections were announced.