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Persons with disabilities, senior citizens, Covid patients can opt for postal ballot

By The Assam Tribune

Correspondent

BONGAIGAON, Feb 27: Persons with disabilities, senior citizens above 80 years of age and COVID-19 patients can exercise their franchise in the forthcoming Assembly polls through postal ballots in all the three Assembly segments in Bongaigaon district, addressing a press meet today at her office conference hall, Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Dr MS Lakshmi Priya told the media.

Booth level officers (BLOs) were instructed to distribute form 12B among the voters of these three categories so that they can apply for the facility through the BLOs, the deputy commissioner said.

Their postal ballots would be collected within 15 days of the date of poll notification (March 12) of the third phase polls scheduled to be held on April 6, District Election Officer Benu Musahari said.

As per the official data, all the three Assembly segments (Bongaigaon, Abhayapuri North and Abhayapuri South) in Bongaigaon district comprise 1,884 persons with disabilities and 7,889 senior citizens above 80 years of age.

Only in particular places selected by the administration, political parties can hold election rallies seeking permission 48 hours before the event, the deputy commissioner added.

To lodge complaint relating to poll code violation, any citizen can either use a C-Vigil Application (App) or can dial 03664231171 and 1950 phone numbers. In No-32 Bongaigaon Assembly seat, the total number of voters is 1,75,329 and total number of polling stations is 260. The No-34 Abhayapuri North constituency comprises 1,73,232 voters and 219 polling stations, and No-35 Abhayapuri South seat comprises 1,98,943 voters and 260 polling stations.

A candidate cannot spend more than Rs 30.8 lakh in the election and carrying of cash more than Rs 50,000 by any person is prohibited under poll code. It is relaxed in cases of emergency, but authentic documents are required, the deputy commissioner added.

To ensure free and fair election, additional security forces have been deployed in the district. Except some critical polling stations (having maximum number of voters), there are no sensitive polling station in the district, the deputy commissioner clarified, adding that COVID-19 protocol will be followed strictly in polling process and election campaigns.

All the three Assembly segments of Bongaigaon district will go to the third phase of polls on April 6.

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