To ensure the free and fair Lok Sabha elections in Naxal-affected regions of State, the Election Commission of India (ECI) will employ 10 Indian Air Force helicopters for transporting polling teams during the 2024 elections. Sailabh Sahu, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer of Chhattisgarh, informed the media that this initiative marks the first time that 10 helicopters will be used to transport polling teams to 167 polling stations across State for the Lok Sabha elections. Specifically, polling teams will be airlifted to 156 polling stations in Narayanpur, Sukma, Bijapur, Dantewada, and Kondagaon districts, all falling under the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency, which is scheduled for polling on April 19. The number of polling personnel to be transported by choppers totals 1009, 171 polling personnel in Narayanpur district, 72 polling personnel in Kanker district, 250 polling personnel in Sukma district, 465 in Bijapur district, 25 in Dantewada district, 10 in Gariaband district and 16 polling personnel in Kondagaon district, said the Deputy CEO.

 

In addition, Sahu noted that in the 2023 assembly elections, eight helicopters were utilised to transport 863 polling personnel to 156 polling stations, while in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, eight helicopters transported 1050 polling personnel to 218 polling stations in Chhattisgarh. The Deputy CEO also outlined the schedule for helicopter deployment, with polling teams being dispatched to different polling stations on April 16, 17, and 18, and all teams from the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency returning on April 20. The randomization of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) has been completed for the first and second phases of Lok Sabha elections in State, ensuring the availability of a minimum of 120% Ballot Units (BU) and Control Units (CU), and 130% Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in each assembly constituency.

 

The process for postal ballot voting will commence on April 6 for service voters in the Bastar Lok Sabha constituency. Additionally, the Election Commission has taken action on 249 instances of model code of conduct violations reported through the cVIGIL app. Moreover, permissions for 335 publicityrelated activities have been processed, and actions have been taken on all received applications. Furthermore, significant efforts have been made to remove campaign materials, including banners, posters, wall writings, and other items. 69,203 banners, 1,11,285 posters, 1,36,187 wall writings and 88,115 others have been removed. 9.80 crore cash has been seized. 27979.76 litre liquor worth Rs 0.66 crore has been seized. 1027.16 kilogramme drugs worth Rs 1.76 crore and 24.16 crore precious metal worth Rs 1.64 crore and freebies worth Rs 17.33 crore have been seized to prevent misuse.