2021 Elections Polling Stations to Be Increased in Assam

STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI:

During the forthcoming Assam Assembly polls slated in April 2021, the number of polling stations will increase across the State. This will take place due to the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines mandating social distancing.

The move will be initiated in all the polling stations that have more than 1,000 electors. A recent directive issued by the ECI (Election Commission of India) stated that each polling station must have less than the mentioned number of electors particularly during this pandemic period. At present, there are 28,143 polling stations in Assam. Many among them have electors more than 1000.

Sources, however, clarified that the envisaged increase in polling stations in Assam will not be a permanent one. The process to assess the number of such 'Auxiliary polling stations' will commence from November.

Meanwhile, the ECI has already announced the schedule for the 'Special Summary Revision' (SSR) of photo electoral rolls-2021 for Assam. State Election department sources said that the 'integrated draft electoral rolls' will be published on November 16. Claims and objections on the draft can be filed from November 16 to December 15. Disposal of the claims and objections will be done by January 5, 2021. The final photo electoral rolls will be published on January 15, 2021.

The last photo electoral roll of Assam was published on February 15, 2020. According to this roll, Assam had 2,23,63,502 electors; of which, there were 1,13,94,405 male and 1,09,69,097 female electorates.

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