Madikeri: Rapid response teams in coordination with the state forest department officials will assist voters living on the edge of forest and elephant corridors to caste their ballot on May 12, assured Kodagu Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sreevidya.
Around 30 routes have been identified, where elephants criss-cross on a regular basis and in those areas rapid response teams will be on duty. Voters can exercise their franchise devoid of any fear as 30 teams meant for the purpose of safeguarding the voters will assist them, she clarified. Around 5-8 personnel will be on duty in each team on the polling day under the guidance of range forest officers (nodal officers), she added.
Each polling booth has been provided with medical aid kits, DC said.
Activists of political parties have been asked to leave the district 48 hours before the scheduled closing time on polling day, she said. All hotels, homestays and resorts have been asked to strictly adhere to the guidelines, failing which severe action will be taken against them, she warned.
Voters whose names are registered in voters’ list but are not in possession of voter IDs can cast their votes using 12 other identity proofs, Sreevidya said.
