Anand, April 22 (IANS) More than 2.45 lakh voters will cast their ballots in the Umreth Assembly by-election on Thursday, with authorities in Anand district completing all arrangements for polling under extensive administrative, logistical, and security planning across the constituency.

Polling will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., in accordance with the schedule announced by the Election Commission of India, while counting of votes is scheduled to be taken up on May 2 as per the notified election programme.

Officials said that the election preparations have been carried out under the overall guidance and supervision of Chief Electoral Officer Sandeep Sagale, with District Election Officer and Collector Pravin Chaudhary leading the district-level team and coordinating arrangements on the ground.

The constituency comprises 46 villages from Umreth taluka and adjoining rural areas of Anand district, along with the municipalities of Ode, Umreth, and Boriavi, covering both urban and rural segments.

A total of six candidates are contesting the seat in the by-election. The total electorate stands at 2,45,623, comprising 1,26,545 male voters, 1,19,072 female voters, and six voters categorised under others.

Among the electorate, 4,174 are first-time voters in the 18–19 age group. In addition, 1,556 voters aged above 85 years and 1,546 persons with disabilities are registered to cast their votes in the by-election.

Officials confirmed that 88 voters aged above 85 years and 13 persons with disabilities have already exercised their franchise from home under the facility provided by the Election Commission.

A total of 306 polling stations have been set up across the constituency, including 68 in urban areas and 238 in rural areas, with webcasting facilities arranged at polling locations to monitor proceedings and ensure transparency.

Of these, one polling station will be managed entirely by persons with disabilities, two polling stations will be managed by youth, and two polling stations will be managed by women, while five model polling stations have also been prepared with enhanced facilities.

Nearly 1,500 personnel have been deployed for the election process, including 1,348 polling staff, 22 micro-observers, and 19 district-level nodal officers assigned specific responsibilities.

All polling personnel have undergone training in three phases to ensure smooth conduct of polling. To facilitate accessibility, 218 wheelchairs will be available at polling stations, and 361 volunteers have been deployed to assist voters, particularly senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

Six vehicles have been reserved to provide free transport for voters aged above 85 years and persons with disabilities. Voter Assistance Booths have also been set up to provide information and facilitate voters, including arrangements for the safekeeping of mobile phones outside polling premises.

Officials said that electors can cast their vote using the voter identity card or any one of 12 alternative documents approved by the Election Commission, including Aadhaar card, job card issued under MGNREGA, bank or post office passbook with photograph, health insurance smart card issued under government schemes, driving licence, PAN card, NPR smart card, Indian passport, pension documents with photograph, official service identity cards, identity cards issued to elected representatives, and the Unique Disability ID card.

Non-resident Indian (NRI) voters registered in the constituency must present their original passport at the polling station to exercise their franchise.

Postal ballot voting has already been conducted for around 212 officials and staff engaged in election duty between April 15 and April 17 at Ode Arts and Commerce College.

On the first day of postal voting, 41 personnel, including 11 women and 30 men, cast their votes through postal ballot as part of the process.

Health arrangements have been put in place for polling staff in line with Election Commission guidelines, with authorities ensuring readiness to address any medical contingencies during polling hours.

Authorities have ensured access to immediate and cashless medical treatment through tie-ups with Community Health Centre Umreth, General Hospital Anand, General Hospital Bhalej, and for specialised cardiac care with Zydus Hospital Anand and Shree Krishna Hospital in Karamsad.

ORS packets will be made available at all polling stations to address heat-related issues and ensure voter comfort during the polling process.

Security arrangements have been made to ensure a free and fair election. Under the supervision of District Superintendent of Police Gaurav Jasani, two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs), four Police Inspectors, and around 500 police and home guard personnel will be deployed, along with three companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Officials said: “All arrangements have been put in place to ensure that polling is conducted smoothly, safely, and in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Election Commission.”

They added that facilities for elderly voters and persons with disabilities have been prioritised “to enable them to participate in the electoral process without any difficulty or inconvenience.”

A public holiday has been declared on April 23 in the constituency to facilitate maximum voter participation in the by-election.

–IANS

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