People root for poll drop boxes

By J.R.PRASAD

Hyderabad, Nov. 2: Contrary to the assurances of the Election Commission that "drop boxes" would be set up in 2,000 places in Hyderabad to make it easy for intending voters to enrol themselves, the boxes have been made available only at 500 places. People who are eager to enrol themselves are feeling let down by the EC and the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation staff.

The EC had ordered a fresh summary revision of electoral rolls in the state from October 25 to November 25 for the ensuing general elections. With only 23 days are left for the completion of fresh summary revision, intending voters had thought that registering themselves would be an easy task. The absence of the drop boxes has left them disappointed.

"I don't have the time to go and submit Form-6 to register my name in the electoral rolls, said Mr K. Balakrishna, a software engineer from Qutbullapur. "I thought this drop box facility could make my task easier. But, I was so disappointed when I did not find any drop box in our area," he said.

The chief electoral officer, Mr I.V. Subba Rao, said that boxes were set up at 1,000 places in the city. The remaining 1,000 boxes would also be placed in a day or two, he said. He said that as per the convenience of the voters the EC was also setting up drop boxes at 200 post offices apart from public places like shopping malls.