Nine all-women polling stations in Tripura

Agartala, April 2 (IANS) The Election Commission will set up nine all-women polling stations - with all-women polling personnel - in Tripura, an official said here Wednesday.

"Considering the performance of women polling personnel in previous elections, nine polling stations would be set up with only women polling personnel," Tripura Chief Electoral Officer Ashutosh Jindal told IANS.

He said: "Around 19,000 polling personnel, including 60 women, would be appointed to man the 3,095 polling stations across Tripura. Several hundred sector officers and micro observers, all men, would be employed to deal with the polling."

The polling personnel are being trained across Tripura by the senior officials and the central observers appointed by the Election Commission. The poll panel has appointed seven central observers.

Also, a massive campaign asking people to cast their votes has been launched.

Jindal said: "Considering hot weather and early sunrise and sunset, the Election Commission has extended the hour of polling by one hour in the northeastern region, except Manipur and Nagaland. Now, the voters can cast their votes in between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. instead of 7 a.m. and 4 p.m."