New Delhi, March 22 (NationPress) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has declared that all polling stations will be equipped with guaranteed minimum facilities and extensive voter assistance for the upcoming Assembly elections across five states and one Union Territory.

Previously, on March 15, the Commission had announced the timeline for the General Elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, together with bye-elections in six additional states.

According to a statement from the Commission, it has instructed Chief Electoral Officers (CEOs) of the relevant states and Union Territories to ensure that each of the 218,807 polling stations is outfitted with Assured Minimum Facilities (AMFs) and sufficient voter assistance on election day.

The AMFs consist of vital amenities such as drinking water, shaded waiting areas, toilets with running water, appropriate lighting, ramps for individuals with disabilities, standardized voting booths, and clear signage to assist voters.

The ECI further stated, "CEOs have been directed to place benches at regular intervals to allow voters to sit while they await their turn to cast their vote."

Moreover, to boost voter awareness, four standardized Voter Facilitation Posters (VFP) will be prominently displayed at all polling locations, detailing Polling Station Information, Candidate Lists, Guidelines for Voters, Approved Identification Documents, and the voting process.

Additionally, Voter Assistance Booths (VABs) will be established at every polling station to aid voters in finding their polling booth numbers and their position on the electoral roll.

These booths will be manned by Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and other personnel dedicated to helping voters locate their polling information. They will feature prominent signage to ensure high visibility for those approaching the polling area.

The ECI has also introduced a mobile phone deposit service for voters, aiming to enhance convenience during the voting process.

The statement elaborated, "As part of its initiatives to facilitate voters, a mobile phone deposit service will be accessible outside the polling station entrance. Voters will be able to hand over their switched-off phones to designated volunteers before they enter the station and retrieve them after voting."

Reaffirming its dedication to a smooth electoral process, the Commission highlighted the necessity of adhering to these guidelines.

"The Commission emphasizes that providing AMF and related accessibility measures is obligatory and will be closely monitored for compliance across all polling stations. All field staff have been instructed to complete necessary preparations well in advance of the election dates to guarantee a smooth and enjoyable voting experience for all voters," the ECI concluded.