The elections are conducted as per proviso contained in “The Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961”. This year elections are being conducted in seven phases, 19 April to 01 June, and the results declared on 04 June. Noida is part of the Gautam Budh Nagar Lok Sabha Constituency; elections were held on 26 April.
Prior to the election, most of the voters got their new (coloured) voter identity card (EPIC) delivered home. It has clear photograph of a voter for easy and quick recognition at polling station. Election Commission of India also made elaborate arrangement for making the individual voter slip readily available with the details of voter, and google map and location of respective polling station printed at the back of it. A four-digit voter helpline number and web links were also circulated through social media to confirm the name in electoral roll and location of polling Station. Use of information technology and social media has done commendable work in the election process.
Residents of Sector-50 went to polling stations at Community Centre, Ramagya School, Nilgiri Public School or Club-50 to cast their vote. Many people, especially the first-time voters and few elders, eager to vote, reached their respective polling station around 7:00 am itself when polling was scheduled to start. The arrangement at all the polling station was very good with deployment of adequate polling staff and security personal guiding everyone in a courteous and friendly manner. People cast their vote and enjoyed the election process in a festive manner as a celebration.
After using their franchise, residents were seen outside polling station discussing their experience at polling booth especially the VVPAT (Voter Verified Paper Trail) display clearly indicating symbol and name of the candidate to whom they voted. Mostly the voters were happy to see the election and polling process in a very transparent manner.
After the voting, some went on long drive and many with family/friends and children enjoyed special discounted food offered on the eve of election by hotels and restaurant around. At last it was a peaceful election without any untoward incidents and violence.
The voting in Noida is over and EVMs are kept securely at the designated place. These EVMs will be taken to the counting station on 04 June for counting and result will be declared on the same day by respective Returning Officers.
(The author is former Returning Officer appointed by Election Commission of India to conduct General Election.)
