Use of EVM for the first time in urban body elections

Madhya Pradesh.

For the first time, EVMs will be used in place of ballot papers in local body elections in Madhya Pradesh. This is a revolutionary and challenging initiative from election point of view. We should all accept this challenge and discharge important responsibility of conducting local body elections on the lines of Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha polls. This was stated by State Election Commissioner Shri R. Parasuram while reviewing preparations for elections to urban body and three-tier Panchayat elections at Rewa today.

Shri Parasuram informed that programme is being chalked out to conduct urban body elections in November and three-tier Panchayat elections in January-February 2015. Except for elections of panchas, polling for all other posts will be held through EVMs. In this connection, he directed to prepare error-free photo electoral rolls. For this, collectors with all concerning officers should give proper guidance to vendors at meetings. He directed collectors to make arrangements for safe storage of EVMs. He directed collectors to chalk out an action plan for EVM training and send the same to the State Election Commission by April 25.

The State Election Commissioner also laid emphasis on making people aware about voting through EVMs. He also directed for wide publicity of the new arrangement through electronic & print media, cinema houses, posters, slogans and banners.

Secretary Shri G.P. Shrivastava sought information from collectors regarding delimitation, control tables and preparation of photo bearing electoral rolls. Commissioner Rewa division Shri Pradesh Khare and Commissioner Shahdol division Shri D.P. Ahirwar also put forth their suggestions.

Collectors, Deputy Commissioners, CEOs, Deputy District Election Officers of Rewa and Shahdol divisions, Commissioner Municipal Corporation and officers of Nagar Panchayats and Zila Panchayats were present at the meeting.

Practical demonstration of polling process

An ideal polling booth was set up at collector’s office for practical demonstration of polling through EVMs. Commissioner Shri Parasuram, Secretary Shri G.P. Shrivastava and all officers-employees participated in it.