EC UNROLLS 17 NEW INITIATIVES IN BIHAR

For the first time, counters will be available outside all polling stations for the voters to deposit their mobile phones

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

The Election Commission (EC) Monday announced 17 new initiatives that will be unrolled during the Bihar Assembly polls, including compulsory webcasting and mobile phone-deposit facilities at all polling stations.

At a press conference here, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar announced the "Bihar First Initiatives", which will be unrolled at all stages -- from preparing for the polls to the counting of the votes. These initiatives will be launched in all states during subsequent elections, he said.

For the first time, counters will be available outside all polling stations for the voters to deposit their mobile phones. The number of electors per polling station has also been limited to 1,200 to avoid crowding.

The poll panel will issue voter-information slips with serial and part numbers (details of the polling station) displayed prominently for easier verification of voters.