Maharashtra Assembly elections: EC reviews poll preparedness for polls

Np News 24 Mumbai: CEC Sunil Arora accompanied by Election Commissioners Ashok Lavasa and Sushil Chandra along with the team of officers from Election Commission of India (EC), conducted a two-day review of poll preparedness of the State on September 17 and 18.

Addressing at the press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora reiterated that EVMs cannot be tampered with; it is a standalone machine, different from other machines.

Arora also flagged off a mega voter awareness campaign of Regional Outreach Bureau, Maharashtra.

The SVEEP campaign comprises of 9 travelling exhibition vehicles and live performances at 1,500 locations in 20 districts, in 125 Vidan Sabha constituencies of the State to achieve an aim and objective of ‘Greater Participation for a Stronger Democracy’.

During the visit, the Commission met with representatives of various political parties and noted their issues and concerns.  The Commission took note of their concerns for holding free, fair and peaceful and ethical elections. It reviewed the poll preparedness work of District Election Officers, /SPs/ Commissioner of Police, Divisional Commissioners and IGs and also discussed election preparedness with Chief Secretary, DGP, Home Secretary and other senior Officials of the State.

The Commission reviewed overall poll preparedness with Chief Electoral officer, Police Nodal officers and also the CAPF nodal officers.  The EC officials also met with Nodal officers of Income Tax, Excise, Railways, Airports and with State Level Bankers Committee convener to review in detail the strategy to curb misuse of money/drugs/liquor and freebies distribution during the election.

Arora highlighted issues discussed during the meetings and instructions of the Commission, as follows – Polling stations that need to be located on ground floor to facilitate senior citizens and PWD voters particularly; concerns about duplicate entries in Electoral Rolls at a few places; Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) efforts would be stepped up to involve the younger voters between 18-35 years.

Some parties demanded to increase existing expenditure limit of 28 lakhs, some parties requested that expenditure related to publicizing the mandatory advertisement rates for criminal antecedents should be based on DIPR rates and /or expenditure debited to party head.  Some parties highlighted variation in the official rates of election related items.

They said, laid down norms for access near Polling Stations – use of vehicles by candidates, seating of Party Agents etc. should be honoured – polling duty officers should be sensitized; Voters slip distribution should be started early enough to be able to reach all and Polling date should keep in mind the Diwali holidays and the fact that quite a few potential voters could be going back to their hometowns and thus optimal voter turnout may get adversely affected.

The Commission noted that all efforts have been made by CEO’s team to relocate polling stations at ground level. Wherever it’s unavoidable, it has been ensured that Polling stations are located in buildings with functional lifts and volunteers deputed to help particularly the senior citizens and Persons with Disabilities.

SVEEP efforts will be intensified to reach out to more voters. Assured Minimum Facilities will be ensured at polling stations. Commission reiterated that use of ballot paper is history.  The Commission has directed the officers to make special security arrangements in sensitive areas.

The Police Force has been instructed to identify anti-social elements and take action against them so that the election process is not vitiated. Special security arrangements will be provided to facilitate proper participation for weaker and vulnerable sections.

Election Commission has directed the officials to make Electoral Rolls error-free and afford opportunities for registration to residual voters in a speedy manner and should take place until last date of nomination. The Commission’s motto is ‘No Voter to Be Left Behind’ and our officers will make all efforts to register all eligible voters. One can also search through nvsp.in site or dial number 1950 or get desired details from SMS service on 1950.

On the issue of EVM/VVPAT, it was informed that VVPATs will be used at all Polling Booths along with the EVM machines as done in Lok Sabha Elections 2019. EVM votes of five randomly selected polling stations of every Assembly segment will be matched with VVPAT slips. It has been reiterated to CEO and DEOs to ensure due awareness to all stakeholders about proper usage of the machines. The officers were also asked to strictly adhere to the laid down procedures and Standard Operating Procedures about use, storage and Transportation of the machines in all the constituencies. Commission has directed to continue the awareness drive for at least 2 to 3 rounds. DEOs were asked to organize hands-on experience on EVM VVPAT a time-bound manner and prepare schedule for such demonstration and publicize through media and provide information to Political Parties and voters at large.

The Commission has also directed the Chief Secretary of the State to ensure that all Transfers are effected by per the Commission’s policy regarding the transfers of the officers. Every effort to be made to ensure strict compliance of the Model Code of Conduct and expenditure monitoring so that the political parties and the general voters can be assured for the free and fair elections.
The Commission considers media as its invaluable ally for election management and for implementation of election related laws, instructions and for monitoring the orders. The Commission has directed CEOs and DEOs to use social media for the benefits of voters and polling.