Poll personnel's remuneration to be credited to bank account

Remunerations of poll personnel will be credited directly to their bank accounts in these Lok Sabha elections, Election Commission officials said here Thursday, highlighting the stress on welfare of poll staff.

Since the elections will be held during the height of summer in April-May, special arrangements for food and drinking water will be also be made to ease their discharge of duties, the officials said.

"The commission has laid special emphasis on the welfare of poll personnel. Their remuneration will be transferred directly to their bank accounts...this is for the first time," assistant chief electoral officer Amitjyoti Bhattacharji told reporters here.

Instead of standing in queues for fee disbursement, the money will be available through bank accounts.

"They will receive a text after they receive the money," he said.

Special thought has been given to areas like Bankura and Purulia where water deficit is an issue during summer. Public health authorities have been instructed to supply pouches of potable water, said officer on special duty Amit Roy Chaudhury.

Blind voters will have the option of using Braille adhesive stickers that will be attached next to the ballot unit, said Chaudhury.