New York: With states like New York and New Jersey yet to restore power and transport services in the aftermath of superstorm Sandy, officials in the disaster-hit areas will use military trucks as makeshift polling stations to enable citizens to cast their votes in the November 6 Presidential polls.
New Jersey’s Secretary of State, Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno said polling stations in several counties of the state are not functioning as they do not have power or have been severely destroyed by Sandy but provisions have been made to use military trucks as polling stations. “All the assets that the US President gave to our Governor, including Department of Defence (DoD) trucks will be used to create polling places,” she said.
In places, where the polling stations have been damaged, voters “will find a DoD truck with a well-situated National Guardsman and a big sign saying, “‘Vote Here.’
In New York, arrangements are being made to set up alternate polling centres in areas where there is no power.
In its Queens borough, where fire destroyed many buildings, make-shift tents would be used as polling stations.
While New York and New Jersey are considered President Barack Obama’s strongholds, the damage caused by the storm could delay the counting of votes. (PTI)