Lucknow, March 17 (IANS): The Election Commission of India (ECI), for the first time, will set up polling stations for the Lok Sabha elections inside the premises of high-rises and gated colonies in Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Navdeep Rinwa said: "The state has the highest number of polling stations inside high-rise apartment complexes and gated colonies in the country. We have identified 217 such apartment complexes and gated colonies. The maximum is in Dadri (68), Noida (67), Sahibabad (37), Muradnagar (8) and seven each in Loni, Ghaziabad, and Bakshi-Ka-Talab."

The CEO said: "Around 82,000 polling stations will have live webcasting facilities. Further, we have ensured that all polling stations are on the ground floor. Arrangements have been made for wheelchairs, ramps for disabled voters, toilets, sufficient light, drinking water, help desk, volunteers, and signage to facilitate voters in hassle-free polls."

"We have made attempts to set up polling stations with the idea that no voter has to travel more than 2 km to cast their vote," he added.