Over 4,000 polling stations in Ker categorised sensitive: CEO

Police have identified 4,482 sensitive polling stations in Kerala of which 162 locations are considered as Left-wing extremists-affected ones, Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena said Saturday.

"Out of 4,482 sensitive polling stations in the state, 817 are listed as critical polling stations and 425 as vulnerable polling stations.

Vulnerable stations are where weaker sections of people in the society are residing and are considered as being influenced," he told reporters.

Police have also identified 162 locations as Left-wing extremists affected ones which includes booths from Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, Wayanad and Palakkad, the CEO said.

He also said 57 companies of central force has been requested in the state and over 4,700 personnel will be deployed.

According to Meena, the total electorate strength is 2,61,46,853 of which 1,26,81,992 are men, 1,34,64,688 women and 173 third gender voters.

"There are 3,67,818 first-time voters in the age group of 18-19, of which, 1,99,548 are males, 1,68,251 females and 19 third gender voters.

Malappuram district has got the maximum number of first-time voters--60,469," he said.

The 'C-VIGIL' mobile app, which was released by the Commission to monitor corrupt practices during the election, has received over 17,000 complaints till now, the CEO said.

"We found 14,447 cases as genuine. Most of the complaints were on defacement of private properties by political parties sticking posters," he said.

There were 31 cases of gifts for vote, 28 cases of money distribution and 700 cases against posters without the mandatory declaration.

There were 1200 cases of property defacement and 40 complaints were on using loudspeakers after 10 in the night, the CEO said, adding that 147 cases related to political parties or leaders wooing voters on the basis of religion.

He urged the public to use the app more often to bring out the corrupt electoral practices.

The CEO also said seven lakh flex boards were removed and the special squad has seized over Rs 14 crore, suspected to be taken for corrupt electoral practices.