Queries raining at Election Commission help-line

Every day about 2,500 queries are raining at help-line centre set up for first time by EC in the poll-bound national capital.

Which is my new constituency? Where will I get my voter ID card from? How can I correct my name in the voters8217; list?

Queries like this, which run into about 2,500 every day, are raining at the help-line centre set up for the first time by the Election Commission in the poll-bound national capital.

The centre, established to ensure hassle-free information for voters, has 15 lines functioning for as many hours daily.

8220;The centre has been receiving on an average 2,000-2,500 calls daily,8221; says Delhi Chief Electoral Officer CEO Satbir Sailas Bedi.

Set up under the direct supervision of Joint Chief Electoral Officer CEO Uday Bakshi, it has different lines with a common number 011-47617500.

8220;The callers have to make a call on the number to seek answers to their questions,8221; says Bakshi.

General queries that are being addressed include those pertaining to delivery of voters8217; ID cards, mistakes in names, address or age and also pertaining to election procedure post-delimitation.

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8220;With areas being re-configured after delimitation, a recurring question that voters are asking is about the status of their constituency and now where their vote falls,8221; says Bedi.

The centre, which opened few days back within the premises of the commission, is employing 30 people who work in two shifts throughout the day from 7 am till 10 pm.

The centre will function till November 29, the date of voting.

Voters appreciated the utility of the help-line, saying it had helped them a lot.

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8220;The centre helped me clear my doubts regarding the re-figuring of my constituency and our status after the delimitation,8221; says Shabbir Ahmed, a resident of Minto Road, which has now been incorporated into the Matia Mahal segment.

8220;It also helped me know the status of my son8217;s EPIC, which is yet to be delivered,8221; Ahmed adds.

The centre is also sending regular SMSes to voters to sensitise them on their electoral rights and make them aware about the existence of the facility, Bedi says.

8220;The basic purpose of introducing such a system was to ensure more and more voters exercise their franchise and successfully conduct the polls,8221; said Bedi.