Kendrapara: The administration is going to use solar lanterns this time in the 1,438 polling booths of this district’s five Assembly constituencies instead of kerosene lanterns.
The decision was made after a direction from the Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha, said Collector Dasarathi Satapathy who is also the District Election Officer.
Two solar lanterns will be given to each polling booth. The district administration is procuring 3,200 solar lanterns. The tender for this has already been allotted to the lowest bidder. The bidder will supply solar lanterns at the rate Rs 215 per unit, and it would reach the district shortly, the Collector said.
“Kerosene lanterns were used earlier. But this time eco-friendly solar lanterns will be used in all polling stations,” the Collector added.
Most of the lanterns used for the 2014 elections are in bad shape. So it is better to purchase solar lanterns than to repair or purchase kerosene lanterns. Besides this, the administration will not have to supply kerosene to light up lanterns. It is also difficult to get kerosene, the Collector said.
The CEO will provide dashboards for setting up polling compartments at all polling stations this time.
The power distribution company, CESU (Central Electricity Supply Utility), has also been directed to ensure that there are no power outages on the polling day in Kendrapara.
The district administration has arranged ramps, drinking water, furniture, waiting room/shade facilities and toilets in all the 1,438 polling stations in the district. Electricity has been arranged in 1,429 polling stations.
The administration has also made adequate arrangements in the six polling booths located in remote pockets of the district.
PNN