13.9 lakh applications received for inclusion on voters ' list: Anil Kumar Jha

Bangalore, Mar 18: Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha has said that his office received a total of 13.9 lakh applications for inclusion on the electoral rolls till Sunday, which was the last date. The Lok Sabha elections in the State will be held on April 17.

Speaking to presspersons here on Monday, Mr. Jha said that on Sunday itself, 2.5 lakh people submitted applications during the special camp organised to speed up the exercise.

He said that 10.6 lakh citizens, including those living overseas had enrolled till the evening of March 15, and 79,800 had applied online during the last two months. These applications would be examined and there would be spot inspection before the Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) were issued.

He said that details pertaining to issuance of EPIC could be found onwww.ceokarnataka.kar.inby typing in the name, relationship to other voters in the family, address and constituency. Those who have EPIC could easily get information by typing in the number. Clarifying that there was no change in the date on which the elections would be held, he said polling would be between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Mr. Jha said that the returning officers of the respective Lok Sabha constituencies would issue public notification to receive nominations from candidates from Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Deputy Election Commissioner Alok Shukla is attending a daylong meeting to review poll preparedness and address top officials, including returning officers, on Tuesday.

He said the technical team, including engineers from BEL, had completed inspection and the ongoing checking of electronic voting machines (EVMs) would be over shortly. He said the expenses incurred by candidates would be taken into consideration only after they filed the nomination papers and there was no limit for parties ' expenditure.

On paid news, Mr. Jha said a workshop with mediapersons would be held. He said the complaints of missing voters this time would be minimal as sufficient care had been taken to avoid inconveniencing voters. He also said that homeless people could be included on the voters ' list.

To a question, he said that water and buttermilk could be supplied to those who attended the meetings and rallies; there was a bar on supplying eatables.

Taking a television channel reporter to task for telephoning viewers and asking them to vote, he said such things should not be done. However, the television channels were free to conduct exit polls till April 15, he said.