Date:29/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/29/stories/2008062959540600.htm

National

6,500 new polling stations to be set up in Rajasthan

Special Correspondent

For the State Assembly elections later this year

Number of polling stations in the State will go up to 42,000

JAIPUR: The Election Department in Rajasthan will establish 6,500 new polling stations across the State for the State Assembly elections later this year and appoint “micro-observers” after identifying critical polling booths. With this action, the number of polling stations in the State will go up to 42,000.

Chief Election Officer Vinod Zutshi said at a meeting with the representatives of political parties here on Saturday that about 27 lakh voters’ identity cards bearing photographs had been issued during a special drive that started on May 12. The next campaign will start on July 15.The draft electoral rolls with photos for the Rajasthan Assembly constituencies reorganised after delimitation will be published on June 30. Mr. Zutshi said the voters could get the information in this regard directly from the polling booths on July 6 and 13.The Election Department will also establish voter assistance booths outside all polling stations to help the voters find out the details of their namesand serial numbers.