M.SATHIYAVATHI, I.A.S
Chief Electoral Officer

FOREWORD  

            Consequent on the dissolution of the 13th Lok Sabha on 6th February, 2004, the Election Commission of India had issued notification calling upon the electorate of the Union Territory of Pondicherry to elect a Member to the lone Lok Sabha Constituency of the Union Territory of Pondicherry.  The notifications were issued by the President and the Lt.Governor of Pondicherry on 16th April 2004. The Poll was held on 10th May and the Result was declared on 13th May 2004.

2.       The rationalization of Polling Stations in the Union Territory of Pondicherry has reduced the number from 778 to 557 resulting in saving of expenditure and also in better management.

3.       For the third successive time, the Electronic Voting Machines have been used successfully in the Union Territory of Pondicherry.

4.       The notable features of this election include:

• Launching of a website and hosting the Electoral Rolls on the website for wider accessibility.

• Mandatory filing of affidavits along with nomination papers by the candidates disclosing their educational qualification, assets and liabilities, criminal record, if any.

• Wider dissemination of the information furnished in the affidavits including the hosting of the affidavits on the website.

• Setting up of Touch Screen information Kiosks and Help Lines to facilitate the electorate to verify their details.

• Constitution of Committees to scrutinize and certify poll related
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• On line publication of the results using the GENESYS software module.

5.       I thank all the officials and staff who have contributed a lot for the conduct of the General Election to the House of the People in a free, fair and peaceful manner.

 (M.SATHIYAVATHI)