MP Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Poll Staffer Meets With Accident In Shahdol; Specially-Abled Officers Deployed In Chhindwara (WATCH)

Polling worker injured in road accident in Shahdol

A polling staffer got injured in a road accident on the way to collect voting material in Shahdol. As per information, the poll staffer Lallu Lal Rai was going to the district headquarters to collect voting material on his scooty when his two-wheeler slipped.

Lallu Rai has suffered serious injuries to his hands and head. After the accident, he was rushed to the Shahdol district hospital where he was given first aid and reffered to Jabalpur. Currently, he’s under treatment.

Specially-abled officers deployed in Chhindwara

In preparation for the Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat's Phase-1 elections, 1,939 polling places have been constructed. Disabled officers have been stationed at the constituency's special polling places just for this occasion. 16,32,190 voters in total are expected to attend Friday's Festival of Democracy.

Air Ambulance Deployed In Jabalpur

An air ambulance has been deployed in Jabalpur while a helicopter has been stationed in Balaghat a day before election on Thursday, under emergency services. These will remain deployed till end of voting on April 19.

Stale Food Served To Polling Staff?

Electoral team that arrived in Shahdol on Thursday morning, complained that stale food was served to them.

According to information, the polling team was distributed food packets, as they reached the poll-bound district. However, when they opened the packets, they were repelled by the extreme pungent smell and taste. Most of them threw their packets. Shahdol District Election Officer and Shahdol Collector Tarun Bhatnagar said that they have not received any such information yet. “We have received the information from you. We will investigate the matter. Anyone found guilty, will have to face consequences,” said the officials.

EVMs & VVPATs distributed to polling parties in Jabalpur

In preparation for the first phase of voting scheduled for April 19th, Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) machines were being distributed to polling parties today in Jabalpur.

The JawaharLal Nehru Agricultural University had been made as a strong room by the District Election Office to keep these machines securely.

Rumors that a truck containing EVMs caught fire

Notably, a panic occurred when a truck parked in the university's parking area suddenly caught fire. Word spread that the truck contained EVMs. However, taking swift action by the fire brigade team prevented major accidents. On inspection by the District Election Officer, it was confirmed that the truck did not contain any EVMs. Instead, it had been used for water supply by the Municipal Corporation during the night. Empty jars were transported in the truck. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. The District Election Officer said that the news of EVMs being in the truck was entirely false.

Poll staffer dies in Mandla

A government staffer deployed on poll duty died of cardiac arrest at a booth in Mandla on Thursday. The deceased has been identified as assistant professor Maniram Kanvre. He had gone to polling booth to collect voting material.

According to information, his health started to deteriorate all of a sudden at the polling booth. He was rushed to the district hospital. However, Kanvre unfortunately could not survive and passed away during the treatment. Civil Surgeon Dr. Vijay Dhurve stated that the primary cause of death was heart attack.

Polling Staff Deployed In Sidhi

The preparation are in full swing in Sidhi-- one of the easternmost districts of MP. Polling staff arrived at the booths on Thursday. EVMs have reached their destination, strong rooms have been secured, police personnel and guards have been deployed at their duties.

• Approximately 2500 police personnel have been allotted duties for the D-day.

• All checck-points are active.

• Booths categorised into two types: General Polling Center & Critical Polling Center

• Central Armed Police Force (Central Armed Police Force) will be deployed at Critical Polling Centers.

Prep In Full Swing Across 6 Seats

Preparations begin across six constituencies of Madhya Pradesh  due for voting on April 19. Six Lok Sabha seats-- Sidhi, Shadol, Jabalpur, Chhindwara, Mandla and Balaghat, will elect their Members of Parliament (MPs) in the first phase of voting.