EC to employ 'runners' in inaccessible terrains of Jharkhand

As part of security measures, 'runners' would be deployed in inaccessible terrains during the three-phase Lok Sabha elections in Naxal-affected state of Jharkhand.
"Runner(s) will be deployed near booths in inaccessible terrains, besides satellite phones," a senior official of the Election Commission said here today.
In communication parlance, runners are human beings deployed to communicate from one point to another, either on foot or on wheels.
In case of failure of electronic communications, the runner would reach the nearest point to inform poll duty officials, staff and police concerned, if required.
In all, 20 of the 24 districts in Jharkhand are Naxal-affected.

According to a Central government list surveyed for the elections, 13 out of 33 Naxal-affected districts in the country are in Jharkhand.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand's Chief Electoral Officer P K Jajoria said Director General of ECI Akshay Rout reviewed election-related affairs with different officials through video conferencing.
Rout asked to step up awareness campaign among the voters to increase the voting percentage during the elections.
Under the ECI's new venture in Jharkhand - Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation, the ECI's efforts are to increase voter turnout in identified low turnout polling stations, increasing at least 10 per cent to 15 per centre compared to previous LS election, bridging gender gap vis-a-vis voter turnout and inducement free voting among others.