Special arrangements for elderly voters

Election authorities in Puducherry have made special arrangements to enable the ederly and the physically challenged persons to have easy access to the polling booths to exercise their franchise, in view of the May 13 Parliament polls.

District election officer (DEO) cum returning officer (RO) G Ragesh Chandra, in a release here, said ramps were being provided at all the booths for the elderly voters and physically challenged electorates, as per the directives of Election Commission.

Steps were also taken to erect 'pandals' (thatched sheds) outside the booths so that electorates could wait for their turn to vote. Drinking water and assured power supply would also be made available at every booths.

Union Territory of Puducherry would have 850 polling booths, in addition to 26 auxiliary booths. Of the 850 booths, 150 are in Karaikal, 32 in Mahe and 30 in Yanam and remaining in Puducherry, he said.