Page 265 - Leap of Faith Vol - 2

Spotlight on Recent Elections Chapter 12

CEC Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Anup Chandra Pandey and Arun Goel at Vote for Better Democracy exhibition, Gujarat

enrollment of young voters who had a ained the age of restored the upper limit of voters per polling sta on at
18 years between January 2 and October 1, 2022. Assured 1500. However, as a steady move towards greater
Minimum Facili es (AMF) with accessible PwD-friendly digi za on, the Commission encouraged online mode of
infrastructure was provided at every polling sta on. The filing nomina on and payment for the prospec ve
Commission emphasised that these facili es should be candidates. To prevent crowding, during offline filing, the
made permanent. The Commission also encouraged the Commission directed that Returning Officer's chamber
use of eco-friendly materials in polling sta ons that might should be spacious and me should be allo ed to
reflect the local art and culture. The ra onalisa on of prospec ve candidates in a staggered manner.
polling sta ons was done with due diligence. Every Strong emphasis was laid on inducement free elec ons.
polling sta on was inspected by senior officers and The Commission appointed 69 Expenditure Observers for
possibility for reloca on to a be er property was Gujarat and 23 for Himachal Pradesh. A Special
examined. A printed Voter Guide in English/Hindi/local Expenditure Observer in Gujarat helped ghter
language was provided to every voter. A Braille edi on monitoring. Though ul planning yielded results beyond
expecta on. Seizures in Himachal Pradesh witnessed
was provided for visually impaired voters.
fivefold rise over the previous elec ons. As compared to
The pandemic having receded, on the back of a robust INR 9.03 crore worth seizure in cash and kind in 2017, the
immunisa on programme, the Elec on Commission seizure reached INR 57.24 crore in 2022. Gujarat

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