Voting for 11 constituencies in the third phase of the Lok Sabha general election in Maharashtra will be held on 7th May and all arrangements are in place keeping in mind the heatwave conditions.

Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai today, Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer and Principal Secretary S Chockalingam informed that instructions have been given to the district authorities to provide sufficient drinking water, ORS packets as well as sufficient mandap arrangements and waiting room facilities according to the number of voters at all the polling stations in view of the heatwave conditions.

Mr. Chockalingam said, the total average voter turnout was 62.71 percent in the second phase, for which voting was held on 26th April in 8 Lok Sabha constituencies namely Buldhana, Akola, Amravati, Wardha, Yavatmal-Washim, Hingoli, Nanded and Parbhani.

He said in the third phase, polling will be held in a total of 11 Lok Sabha constituencies including 2 in Konkan Division, 7 in Pune Division and 2 in Aurangabad Division on 7th May. For this, a total of 23 thousand 36 polling stations have been provided and 2 crore 09 lakh 92 thousand 616 voters are going to exercise their right to vote in this election.

He informed that for these 11 constituencies, 46,491 Ballot Units (BU) and 23,036 Control Units (CU) and 23,036 VVPAT are available and a total of 258 candidates will contest the election in the third phase. Mr. Chockalingam further said the general polling time for all constituencies in the third phase is from 7 am to 6 pm. However, the polling station will remain open until the voting process of all the voters who are present at the polling station till 6 pm is completed.

He said materials and equipment required for this election have been provided at the polling stations. Adequately trained polling staff and officials are available for the smooth conduct of elections. Police personnel have also been deployed.

Mr. Chockalingam appealed that the entire system is ready and all the voters should exercise their right by voting in maximum numbers.