Solar lanterns to make way for kerosene lamps in poll booths

Solar lanterns will be used in polling booths in place of traditional kerosene lanterns in the event of power cuts at polling booths in Kendrapara district.

The district election office Wednesday said the environment-friendly lanterns will adequately illuminate the 1392 polling booths of five assembly constituencies of the district.

"In the past elections, kerosene lanterns were used. But this time, we have decided to replace it with solar-powered ones," Kendrapara district Collector Dasarathi Panigrahi said here.

He said the district administration has been trying to make available at least one solar-powered lantern to each of the 1392 polling booths of Kendrapara.

The Central Electricity Supply Utility which distributes power in the district has also been directed to ensure that there is no interruption of service on April 29, the polling day in Kendrapara.

Polling for the Lok Sabha and assembly will be held simultaneously in Odisha in four phases on April 11, 18, 23 and 29.