The second phase of polling in the general elections in India is ongoing. While over 158.8 million people are expected to reach the polling booths and exercise their voting rights today, one man from western India’s Maharashtra caught the attention of others, as he reached the voting station dressed in a groom’s attire.
As per reports, the man, identified as Akash, is scheduled to get married on Friday, coinciding with the polling date in his constituency: Amravati. He reached the polling station in Vadarpura area early in the morning to cast his vote and then attend the wedding at 2 pm.
Asked about his decision to turn up for voting on the big day, the man told ANI in Hindi that while the marriage is going to take place, the voting is urgent.
Meanwhile, the video of the groom has gone viral, accumulating thousands of views online.
2nd Phase voting: Numbers
Over 16 lakh (1.6 million) polling officials have been deployed to register the votes of over 15.88 crore (158.8 million) people across 1.67 lakh (167,000) polling stations on Friday.
Voters include 8.08 crore (80.8 million) males, 7.8 crore (78 million) females, and 5,929 third-gender electors of which 34.8 lakhs (3.48 million) are first-time voters. Additionally, there are 3.28 crore (32.8 million) young voters in the age group 20-29 years.
There are over 14.78 lakh (1.478 million) registered voters, who are 85 years old, 42,226 above 100 years and 14.7 lakh (1.47 million) PwDs (Persons with Disabilities) for phase 2, who have been provided the option to vote from the comfort of their homes.
As a part of the arrangement, three helicopters, four special trains, and nearly 80,000 vehicles have been deployed to ferry polling and security personnel. Webcasting will be done in more than 50 percent of the polling stations, along with the deployment of micro-observers in all polling stations. Webcasting is being done in over 1 lakh (100,000) polling stations.
Meanwhile, 251 observers (89 general observers, 53 police observers, 109 expenditure observers) have already reached their constituencies days before the polls. They serve as the eyes and ears of the Commission to exercise utmost vigilance. Additionally, special observers have been deployed in certain states.
A total of 4,553 Flying Squads, 5,731 Static Surveillance Teams, 1,462 Video Surveillance Teams and 844 Video Viewing Teams are keeping surveillance round the clock to strictly and swiftly deal with any form of inducement of voters.
About 1,237 inter-state and 263 international border checkposts have been asked to maintain a strict vigil on any illicit flow of liquor, drugs, cash, and freebies. Strict surveillance has been kept at sea and air routes.