Udupi (DHNS):  Deputy Commissioner Kurma Rao emphasised the certification and pre-certification process for media political advertisements, stating that those who violate the rules will face penalties.

Interacting with reporters, the DC stated that voters who have enrolled and will be 18 years old on April 1, 2023, will be added to the voters’ list. Voter registration is being promoted.  He added that the administration is working to persuade the villagers, who have declared a boycott of the elections.

Prasanna H, CEO of the Zilla Panchayat, stated that 409 polling booths recorded less voting in the previous Assembly elections in the district, and 109 polling booths recorded less voting when compared to the district record. As a result, every effort is made to increase the voting percentage in these polling booths.

The people entrusted with the responsibility are the BLOs. Any BLO in these identified polling stations who achieves a 10% increase in voting percentage over the previous Assembly election will receive Rs 5,000 cash prize. Furthermore, the polling booths are painted to reflect the rich cultural tradition of the Udupi district.  Around 1.62 lakh children were assigned to work on an essay about the importance of voting. Even if they only contact a few members of the household, the awareness will occur automatically. Each gram panchayat office will have a large flex carrying voter information and polling booth information.

The ZP CEO also stated that tribal members are being educated on the importance of voting, and the administration is encouraging them to exercise their franchise. The district administration is confident of achieving 100% tribal voting. The task of broadcasting the message to 259 people each is assigned to the data entry operators and BLOs. He added that up to 67,000 SHGs in the district have been contacted and voting awareness has been created.

Superintendent of Police Akshay H stated that four CRPF platoons have already arrived and are participating in an area dominance exercise as well as a flag and route march. In the critical areas, which are mostly Maoist-infested, confident building measures are taken. ANF and police are conducting combing operations in these areas.

A total of Rs 48.50 lakh cash and 6,000 litres of liquor have been seized so far. A total of 26 tonnes of unbilled rice has been seized, he added.