Kochi, Sept 23: All preparations for the smooth conduct of today's Lok Sabha bypoll in Ernakulam have been completed.
Polling commenced at 8 am today and would conclude at 5 pm.
In all, 1214 polling booths have been set up in the seven assembly segments--Paravoor, Najarakkal, Ernakulam, Palluruthy, Aluva, Mattancherry and Tripunithura--forming part of the constituency, official sources said.
The distribution of polling material to about 4856 electoral staff was completed from seven centres by 2pm yesterday.
Electronic voting machines will be used in all the booths. About 1400 machines are ready, which include standby machines too. A presiding officer and three polling officers would man each booths.



Those whose names figure in the latest voters list must carry with them the electoral identity cards issued by the Election Commission. Those who have not yet got the card can bring their passports, driving licences or pan cards as proof of their identity, the sources said.


Bureau Report