With Punjab going to polls early next year, the Election Commission has approved the programme for rationalisation of polling stations for Punjab.
Chief Electoral Officer VK Singh on Friday said the detailed physical verification to be verified, basic minimum facilities and other aspects required for the polling stations would be carried out on April 1.
Preparation of preliminary proposal by the RO would be submitted to DEO on April 5. Preparation and publication of draft lists of the polling stations would be done on April 8 and on April 23, the copies of the proposals modification in the existing list of polling stations to local branches of all recognized political parties would be supplied.
Singh said that the draft lists of polling stations would be put on the public domain on April 30 for inviting suggestions from general public. On the basis of the suggestions made by the public, decision would be taken on May 5. A meeting consisting of the representatives of the recognised political parties, MlAs and MPs would be held on May 12 to discuss the draft list of the polling stations.
On May 21, decision would be taken on the suggestions made by the representatives of the political parties and MPs and MlAs after physical verification of the suggested locations.
Giving details of the fixing the norms for the rationalisation of the polling stations, V.K. Singh said that 100% physical verification of polling stations will be done by the ARO of assembly. Polling stations should be located in schools; government or semi-government buildings. All existing auxiliary polling stations are to be converted into main polling stations. In one building maximum 2 polling stations in rural and 4 polling stations in urban areas would be set up.
New polling station will be set up, if the number of electors is more than 1200 in rural area and 1400 in urban area. All basic minimum facilities should be available in the polling station building like as electric connection, ramps, toilet, drinking water, shed to shelter the voters, telephone connection etc. Polling station building should be within the polling area.