MP to have large number of postal ballots this time

The number of postal ballots to be used in the Dec 1 MP polls would be almost double the number in 1998 polls as more Government employees have been deployed.

The number of postal ballots to be used in the December 1 Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh would be almost double the number in 1998 polls as more Government employees have been deployed outside their areas following the Election Commission's directive.

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According to the state election office in Bhopal, 1.25 lakh to 1.5 lakh postal ballot papers would be used for voting in 230 Assembly constituencies in the state this time.

The increase has taken place in view of the directives of the Election Commission to deploy 50 to 70 per cent Government employees from outside districts for election duty.

There are more than 42,000 polling centres in the state and about two lakh Government employees would be deployed. Of them, 50 to 70 per cent employees who would be from other districts and they would cast their votes by post.

The state election authorities have requested the election commission to allow simultaneous counting of votes cast through postal ballot papers and electronic voting machines to ensure early announcement of results.