Vadodara: First-time mobile deposit centres for voters’ phones, rain-proof polling arrangements and 100% live webcasting will be among the key features of the Manjalpur assembly byelection on Thursday, for which the Vadodara district administration has completed all preparations.Counting of votes will take place on Aug 3.For the first time, voters will be able to deposit their mobile phones at designated counters outside polling stations, as carrying phones inside polling booths has been prohibited. District Election Officer and Collector Anil Dhameliya said the initiative is aimed at ensuring smooth polling.With the election taking place during the monsoon, the administration has also put in place extensive rain contingency measures. Rain-proof sheds, waterproof tents and queue management teams have been deployed at polling stations, while de-watering pumps have been kept on standby at locations prone to waterlogging.To ensure transparency, all 260 polling stations will be covered by 100% webcasting through 520 cameras, with live monitoring from the control room at the collector’s office. Micro-observers have also been deployed at selected sensitive polling stations.Apart from polling staff, personnel have been stationed at the dispatch and receiving centres handling electronic voting machines (EVMs) and other election material.The byelection was necessitated by the death of veteran BJP MLA and former minister Yogesh Patel. The contest has narrowed to a straight fight between BJP candidate Satish Patel and Congress nominee Bhikha Rabari.91-year-old to vote againTo encourage voter participation, the administration highlighted the example of 91-year-old retired govt school principal Kusum Madhukar Page, who is set to vote once again. Having voted in every election throughout her adult life, Page said she remains committed to exercising her democratic right despite her advanced age.Official collapses during EVM dispatchVadodara: Preparations at the dispatch centre in Makarpura witnessed a brief scare on Wednesday when presiding officer Nilay Jivani collapsed while collecting EVMs and polling material. Officials said he felt dizzy and was immediately attended to by fellow workers. Jivani was shifted to a hospital in a 108 ambulance after receiving first aid. His condition is stated to be stable. Election authorities assigned another officer to continue the process without disruption.
