Bengaluru: A day ahead of the first phase of voting in Karnataka, where, as many as fourteen constituencies go to polls, Sanjiv Kumar, chief electoral officer, Karnataka, addressed the media, touching upon various aspects.

The CEO said as many as 30,198 polling booths have been set up across the fourteen constituencies, 1,54,262 polling staff will be in attendance and as many as 40,000 police personnel will be in charge of security across the fourteen constituencies.

Breaking up the numbers further with respect to the voters, Sanjiv Kumar added that 1,35,45,818 men will be casting their votes while when it comes to women and others, the numbers stand at 1,32,03,258 and 2,817 respectively.  

In relation to provisions made available for voters, he added that drinking water and toilet facilities have been made. He also added that medical facilities have also been put in place, to take care of any eventuality.

The voting time will be seven from the morning till six in the evening.

All government and private institutions must declare a holiday tomorrow. In case of no holiday being declared that the aggrieved can approach the concerned deputy commissioner.

Most importantly, there were some rumours that people can cast their vote online. But the Election Commission outrightly rejected it saying people have to come in person and cast their votes in the respective polling booths.

All voters who have their booths under the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) jurisdiction will have the facility of Ola and Uber cabs, he added.  

As usual, Sanjiv Kumar added that the index finger on the left hand would be inked, as a mark of acknowledgement.

As regards seizing of items during the election period, he added that they have seized unaccounted cash worth Rs 16.36 crore and other banned items, whose worth is Rs 81.90 lakh.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to visit Bagalkote in Karnataka tomorrow. However, he will not be allowed to talk on issues related to those constituencies that are going to polls.