EC arranges welfare measures for poll personnel in Bengal

The Election Commission on Friday said it has made a slew of arrangements for polling and police personnel ranging from health care to transport facilities to services at the polling station in the first phase of the West Bengal assembly election.

"We will have two helicopters and one air ambulance which will be deployed if evacuation of the polling personnel is needed," said additional chief electoral officer Dibyendu Sarkar.

The commission also arranged a unique colour code system for each assembly constituency and a single window system so that polling personnel can easily identify their counter and collect requisite equipment and documents to conduct the poll in the dispatch and receiving centres, he said.

"Allowance would be made through electronic clearance to polling personnel's bank account directly and the commission will follow the minimum wage act for the payments of contractual polling workers," said Sarkar.

Cashless health treatment facilities would be provided to all the polling and police personnel, if needed. The personnel will be provided a health kit too comprising necessary medicines, hesaid.

He said the commission has also engaged self help groups so that polling personnel could get food and amenities at a reasonable cost in each polling station.

It will also arrange a transport grid system including pick up and drop facilities for personnel, he said.