ECM To Set Up Two Polling Stations for Places with Over 500 Registered Voters

Ismail Habeeb, the vice chairman of the Elections Commission (ECM), has announced plans to establish two setups in polling stations where more than 500 individuals have registered to vote. 

The second round of voting is scheduled to take place on the 30th of this month.

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Currently, ECM is working on the evaluation of more than 47,000 re-registration forms. The finalised list will be made available to the public shortly after the completion of this process.

In an interview with PSM News, Ismail Habeeb addressed the possibility of adjusting the number of ballot boxes based on the final count of re-registered voters for the second round. He explained that if the number of registered voters at certain polling stations exceeds expectations, ECM may need to establish additional polling stations. 

However, the exact number of ballot boxes to be deployed will be determined following a thorough assessment and verification of the re-registration forms.

To streamline the voting process and address potential long queues at polling stations, Habeeb announced the deployment of additional setups in accordance with the number of voters expected for the second round of voting.

Habeeb elaborated on the logistics, stating, “We will change the polling station to two set-ups where more than 500 people vote. Then 2 tables will mark the finger. Another ballot paper will be issued. So it will be faster.”

Recognising that some polling stations faced space constraints during the first round of voting, Habeeb confirmed that certain polling stations would be relocated in the second round. 

This decision aims to facilitate the voting process and ensure accessibility for all eligible voters. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that the majority of polling stations will remain unchanged.

In addition to these measures, ECM has initiated refresher training sessions for polling station officials and their assistants. These training sessions are designed to address any potential issues that may arise during the second round of voting. Practical demonstrations will be provided, focusing on polling station queue management and the identification of invalid votes.

As ECM continues its preparations, the goal remains to ensure a fair, efficient, and accessible voting process for all eligible citizens during the upcoming presidential election’s second round.