Assembly Elections 2023: EC's Push To Curb Fake News, Boost Informed Voting. Check Details

Election 2023 Date: "Over 80 % PS in rural areas. Webcasting facility available in 70% of polling stations," CEC said.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar addresses a press conference to announce the assembly election schedule for Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland, in New Delhi.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: The Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday said that the poll body has taken cognisance of the fake news doing rounds around elections and is taking steps to curb such events.  He also said that  the EC recognises the importance of providing voters with necessary amenities to make casting votes an enjoyable and enriching experience for the voters.

Assured Minimum Facilities to be available in all Polling Stations. The commission is conscious of providing all basic facilities to voters for an enriching and pleasant voting experience. pic.twitter.com/wGbobv69BJ

— Election Commission of India #SVEEP (@ECISVEEP) January 18, 2023

There will be some polling places that will be entirely run by women and people with disabilities so that voters will have a better experience and encourage them, said CEC. There will be 376 PS led by women in three states. In each AC, a Model Polling Station will be set up, he added.

For an enhanced voter experience & to encourage PwD & Women, there will be some polling stations managed completely by PwDs & women staff. Women will be in command in 376 PS across 3 states. One Model Polling Station will be set up in each AC. #ECI pic.twitter.com/0p9fTaFtUk

— Election Commission of India #SVEEP (@ECISVEEP) January 18, 2023

Rajiv Kumar on Wednesday announced that 70% of polling stations will be webcast, and polling counters will also carry the constituency and booth numbers to prevent the spread of false information. "For the upcoming assembly elections in the three northeastern states, as many as 9,125 polling stations will be set up across 180 constituencies," said CEC.

For the upcoming assembly elections in 3 states, 9125 polling stations will be set up across 180 ACs. Over 80 % PS in rural areas. Webcasting facility available in ~ 70% of polling stations. State-wise details are in the slide attached. #AssemblyElections2023 #ECI pic.twitter.com/I9yII60rzo

— Election Commission of India #SVEEP (@ECISVEEP) January 18, 2023

"Over 80 % PS in rural areas. Webcasting facility available in 70% of polling stations," he added.

EC Announces Assembly Polling Dates For Northeastern States

The Election Commission announced the schedule for the February-March of this year's Assembly elections in the northeastern states of Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland on Wednesday. On March 2, 2023, the results of all three states will be announced.

"Voting for Assembly elections in Tripura will be held in a single phase on February 16 and in Nagaland and Meghalaya on February 27. The results will be declared on March 2," Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said during a press conference.

The Assembly elections in the northeastern states of Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Tripura were announced, kicking off the 2023 election season.

According to the CEC, the terms of the poll-bound states of Meghalaya, Tripura, and Nagaland are coming to an end on March 12, 15, and 22 respectively.

"The term of Assemblies of respective states in Nagaland, Meghalaya and Tripura are respectively due to expire on March 12, 15, and 22. The 3 states have 60 Assembly constituencies each," the CEC said. 

Detailing the number of voters in the poll-bound states, Kumar said, "There are more than 62.8 lakh electors combined in Nagaland, Meghalaya & Tripura including - 31.47 lakh female electors, 97,000 80+ voters, and 31,700 PwD voters. Over 1.76 lakh first-time voters to participate in the elections in 3 states." 

He also said that some polling places will be run entirely by women and people with disabilities. In 376 PS in Tripura, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, women will be in charge.

Kumar reaffirmed the ECI's commitment to conducting free and fair elections, noting that the three states face "terrain-related challenges."

"The 3 states have terrain-related challenges, but the Commission is committed to participating free and fair participative accessible and ethical elections in these three states," he said. 

According to the CEC, Commission officials recently visited the three states, conferred with them about poll preparations, and instructed them to use "zero tolerance" for any kind of violence during the elections.

"We recently visited these three states from January 11 to 15, and met all the district collectors, SPs, DGs and all the enforcement agencies. There are only 2-3 states of the entire country in which pre-poll, during the poll or post-poll violence is left. there was no violence in the last 12 elections. With the help of the district administration, we have told them very clearly that society should have zero tolerance for any kind of violence during the elections," he said.