Bhubaneswar: Chief Electoral Officer Sushil Kumar Lohani has reviewed the preparations for the by-elections in Balasore and Tirthol. During the review meeting with the district governors of Balasore and Jagatsinghpur districts through video conferencing, the CEO emphasized on strict adherence to the Election Commission’s Covid regulations. Twenty-four polling officers have been appointed for Balasore and 29 for Tirthol. This time, an additional two people will be employed at the booth. One hopeful will be outside the booth, distributing thermal scans, sanitizing and distributing globes to all voters, and helping other voters stay in line while maintaining social distance. Prior to the election, the CEO had instructed the two district commissioners to clean up all polling stations and keep polling officials and voters in a clean environment. Aid will be provided to all employees involved in the election process for their safety. Accordingly, 45 IRR thermometers, 4318 PPE kits, 7.5 lakh globes, 630 face shields, and up to date handheld sanitizers, bleaching powder, soap, napkins etc. will be added. In view of the social distance, the district commissioner was asked to pay special attention to their safety by arranging adequate vehicles while sending the policemen to various booths. The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Electoral Officer Bhavani Prasad Roy, Joint Chief Electoral Officers Sanghamitra Shatapathi and Shatrughan Kar, Deputy Chief Electoral Officer Pramod Kumar Sahu and ASEE Idrish Alli Khan.
