EC addressing connectivity issues for monitoring polling stations

The Election Commission (EC) is trying to address the connectivity issue for monitoring each and every polling station for ensuring a streamlined and peaceful election in West Bengal, an official said here on Friday.

"In West Bengal, the number of polling stations with voice and internet shadow zone are respectively 159 and 1,019. Efforts are underway to reduce the number of polling stations falling under the shadow zone," Additional Chief Electoral Officer, West Bengal, Sanjay Basu told reporters.

Asked if security personnel would be increased in these shadow zones, he said: "The District Election Officer, police officers and the observers will decide, and if the booth requires more force, it will be deployed."

This year, the Commission has instructed that the end-to-end movement of all reserve EVMs and VVPATs shall be carefully monitored at all times, for which Sector Officers' vehicles with reserve EVMs and VVPATs shall mandatorily be fitted with GPS tracking.

"This monitoring will be done on a real-time basis. This way the movement will be monitored through EVM Control Room at CEO and DEO levels," he said.

--IANS

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