Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (AF)

Mangalore, May 7: With assembly elections round the corner, the administration is all geared up to ensure that polling in the city goes on smoothly. A total of 16 battalions of Central Paramilitary Forces will be pressed in to action in the district on Friday May 16, the day of polling.

Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday May 6, deputy commissioner Maheshwar Rao said that the additional security forces will reach the city by Saturday May 10. The security forces will be deployed at special places such those sensitive to violence and those prone to Naxalism.

He further said that the total number of voters in the district is 13,33,094 of which 6,58,287 are men and 6,74,807 women. About 79.62 per cent of the voters have been issued election photo identity cards (EPIC), while 2,71,639 people are yet to get them, he said.

As many as five polling booths, each in Kateel, Jokatte, Kodikal and two in Kannur have been changed for the convenience of voters.

Canara PU College and Canara Degree College in Kodialbail will be used for storing electronic voting machines (EVMs) and documents after polling. The counting will also take place at the same venues, Rao said.