In view of the recent serial blasts in Sri Lanka, elaborate security arrangements have been made. Over 40,400 security personnel have been deployed in the metropolis for the smooth conduct of the polls, according to a statement issued by Mumbai Police.
Anti-terror measures have also been put in place with personnel from Force One, Quick Response Teams, Assault Teams and Anti-Terrorism Cell being deployed in Mumbai. Over 17,000 officers and staff members of the Mumbai Police have registered to cast their votes through postal ballots.
There are 65 critical booths in suburban Mumbai where the polling process will be monitored through webcasting, an election official said. People will not be allowed to take their mobile phones inside the polling booths, he said. A total of 33,314 polling stations are set up across 17 constituencies.
Altogether 3.11 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise across the 17 seats of the Mumbai metropolitan region and parts of northern and western Maharashtra.
Out of 3,11,92,823 eligible voters, 1,66,31,707 are men, 1,45,59,698 women and 1,418 members of the third gender. In the 2014 general polls, the BJP won eight out of these 17 seats and its ally Shiv Sena bagged nine. The BJP last year also won the bypoll to Palghar Lok Sabha seat, where sitting MP Rajendra Gavit is contesting on Shiv Sena's ticket this time.
Polling for the previous three phases in Maharashtra was held on April 11 (seven seats), April 18 (10 seats) and April 23 (14 seats).
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