Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Lok Sabha constituency currently comprises 17.96 lakh eligible voters as of March 15, who will have the opportunity to cast their ballots in the upcoming election scheduled for April 26, as announced by M.P. Mullai Muhilan, Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer.

During a press briefing held on Saturday, March 16, he disclosed that among the electorate, 8.77 lakh are male and 9.19 lakh are female voters, with 67 individuals identifying as transgender. The constituency encompasses 1,876 polling booths, with the Mangaluru North Assembly segment hosting the highest count at 254 booths, while the Mangaluru Assembly constituency has a minimum of 210 booths.

In response to election-related grievances, a dedicated control room has been established at the Deputy Commissioner's office, with a toll-free hotline (1950) for public use. Complaints regarding violations of the model code of conduct can be lodged via the C-Vigil Mobile App, and political parties and candidates can seek campaign permissions through the Suvidha App.

Those who have yet to enroll in the voters' list have until March 24 to do so by submitting Form 6. Additionally, individuals seeking corrections, address changes, or deletions can make such requests until the same deadline using Form 7 and Form 8. In an effort to facilitate voting for the elderly and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the Election Commission has sanctioned the use of postal ballots for individuals aged above 85 years.

A network of 23 checkposts has been established across the constituency to maintain order during the electoral process.

Mangaluru Police Commissioner Anupam Agrawal reported the deportation of an individual under the Goonda Act within the jurisdiction of the Police Commissionerate on Saturday. Preventive measures have been taken against 777 individuals in the past three months. Furthermore, police authorities plan to confiscate 1,700 weapons from license holders until the conclusion of the model code of conduct on June 6, 2024.

Dakshina Kannada Superintendent of Police C.B. Rishyanth stated that the district currently has 9,000 weapon license holders, with externment proceedings initiated against 57 individuals. K. Anandh, Chief Executive Officer of the zilla panchayat, highlighted the identification of 57 polling stations experiencing lower voter turnout compared to the state average, with a majority situated in the Mangaluru South Assembly constituency. Initiatives will be undertaken to raise awareness and boost turnout in these areas during the forthcoming election.