PANAJI: For the first time, voters will be able to avail a free, automated, SMS system from which they can get their part number, constituency
Announcing the launch of this system in the north assembly segment on Tuesday, North Goa returning officer K S Singh said, any voter in the north who knows his electoral photo identity card (EPIC) number but does not know the part number, should SMS his EPIC number to 9422415587. The voter in turn will get a SMS with the required details. The SMS service has been launched for the 4,695 poll personnel in north Goa and details of their postings will be sent to them on SMS if they request for it. It will be introduced in the south soon, said Singh.
Meanwhile, 132 critical polling stations in the North have been identified by election authorities. These include 39 vulnerable polling stations. The assembly segment has a total of 679 polling stations.
Singh said critical polling stations are decided on a number of parameters including a high percentage of non-EPIC voters, high percentage of missing voters without family linkages and over 75% polling for a single candidate in the last elections. Vulnerable polling stations on the other hand, are those where voters may face inducements, intimidation and which have the influence of anti-social elements, he said. The classifications are also arrived at after consultations with police and revenue officials, he added.
The constituency-wise break-up of vulnerable polling stations are: Bicholim (6), Tivim (3), Mapusa (7), Siolim (1), Saligao (1), Calangute (3), Porvorim (2), Aldona (2), Taleigao (2), St Cruz (5), St Andre (2), Valpoi (1), Poriem (3) and Priol (1).
Incidentally, the returning officer has received 53 complaints of violations of the model code of conduct. While all "are being investigated" at least one complaint of distribution of money turned out to be a hoax, Singh said. Six flying squads, one for each taluka in north Goa and comprising of the block development officer and police officials are on surveillance to check violations of the code, Singh said.
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Akbar Jiwani
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