EC to keep vigil at airport and inter-state borders

Bengaluru: The Election Commission has decided to keep a vigil at Kempegowda International Airport and strategic points at inter-state border to prevent movement of money.

“We have discussed with Income-Tax officials to form a squad at the airport as well as at all district headquarters to keep a vigil on excess cash movement. Each district will have three flying squads and three static squads to check misuse of money during the State Assembly elections,’’ Senior Deputy Election Commissioner Umesh Sinha told media persons here on Wednesday.

He said the last date for additions or corrections in the voter list was January 12 but some political parties have appealed to extend the deadline for the benefit of voters in the state.“We are considering the appeal and a decision will be announced shortly,’’ he said.

Appealing the voters not to be carried away by the freebies or gifts offered by political parties, he said the Election Commission wanted to ensure elections to the State Assembly free and fair but also inclusive. “I want the voters to take a pledge not to accept monetary benefits from political parties,’’ he said.

A team of Election Commission officials are camping in Bengaluru to review the preparations for the State Assembly elections. They have also met political parties, district election officers, superintendents of police and discussed the infrastructure needed for conducting Assembly elections.

“We have discussed various issues including providing wheel-chairs for physically challenged voters, water and electricity at the polling stations. We have also discussed about the training to be given to volunteers who help senior citizens and physically-challenged voters,’’ he said.

Answering a query on demand for ballot papers in place of electronic voting machines (EVMs), the Senior Deputy Election Commissioner has said the efficiency of EVMs has been proved and apex court has also approved it.“So far more than five core voters have used the EVMs. We have not received any complaint from them. As of now, we have no proposal to opt for ballot papers mode for the elections in Karnataka,’’ he said.

The Deputy Senior Election Commissioner has launched an app for the benefit of voters in Karnataka. It will provide information on the assembly constituency and other details on polling station.“The voter has to send SMS to 9731979899 for details. The sender will receive the information on his/her phone,’’ he said.