Over 68,000 poll personnel employed for six LS seats in Mumbai

MUMBAI: More than 68,000 officials will be on duty in the six parliamentary constituencies of Mumbai in 9,879 polling centres on April 24, when voting for third and final phase of Lok Sabha elections will be held in Maharashtra.

A day-long training camp for officials in all the 36 assembly segments of the six LS seats --Mumbai South and Mumbai South Central in Mumbai city district, Mumbai North Central, Mumbai North West, Mumbai North East and Mumbai North in suburban district was held earlier this week.

Election officials said 26,177 officials in city and approximately 42,500 in the suburbs attended the training camp. They were trained on how to handle EVMs and precautions to be taken.

Also, a mock poll will be held on April 23 in all the polling centres in Mumbai to test the preparedness.

Meanwhile, distribution of photo voter slips by Booth level officers (BLOs) has begun and the exercise is expected to be completed by April 20. The slip which will have signature of the BLO can be used as photo identity as well, officials said. If there is no photo of the voter on the slip, voter can bring any of the identity proof sought by the Election Commission like bank passbook, pancard, Aadhar card etc.

Officials said voters should deposit photos at their polling station if it is absent on the voter slip so that it can be used in the next election.

As many as 116 candidates including 52 independents are in fray for the six seats across the metropolis.