PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 585
first point is, the number of polling stations. I have been asked to say whether the Government would so arrange the polling stations that not more than a certain number of voters would be clustered or fixed for a particular station. It is very difficult for me to commit to any particular figure. But, I can say this that the Government will undertake to fix the number of polling stations on such a scale that from the point of view of the capacity of a polling station to put through a certain number of voters and from the point of view of distance, the polling stations would be so arranged in their numbers that no voter who is willing to vote and present himself to the officer for voting will have to go disappointed either on account of distance or on account of over-crowding.
The second question that has been raised is the fixation of the polling stations. I have been asked to say whether the authority of the election Commissioner in this matter would be final or whether there would be an opportunity for the persons interested to make representations to the Election Commissioner. It is quite obvious that persons, either voters or candidates, might be interested in having a particular polling station fixed at a particular place from the point of view that that suits them or gives them an advantage over certain other candidates. Obviously, no candidate or no voter could be allowed to have the final say in this matter. The ultimate authority must remain with the Election Commissioner. But, I am prepared to say this that arrangements would be made whereby before the election Commissioner finally fixes the polling stations, he will either invite representation or consult the people concerned in the matter before he makes his final decision.
Then I come to three other points which relate to the conduct of elections. One is the despatch of a voting card by Government to each voter. The second is the despatch on account of Government of an election manifesto of a prescribed length to each voter and the third is the supply of electoral rolls on a concessional basis. The House will realise that it is very difficult for me to commit the Government on this matter, by giving a definite opinion or assurance, for it involves finance. But speaking not as a member of the