Paper trails, IT to feature in state assembly polls

Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Nov. 28 (EMN): The Chief Election Commissioner of India AK Joti on November 28 informed that one new innovation to be used in the 2018 assembly election is 100% deployment of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in all the 2194 polling stations across Nagaland.
He said 30% reserved machines would be put in place in case any problem arises for immediate replacement. He informed that awareness programmes on the use of EVM with VVPAT have started and will continue till Dec.
On the status of compliance of Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) in these polling stations, the official remarked that 29.76% have ramps, 66.23% has drinking water facility, 86.24% with toilets, 73.11% with electricity and 64.8% has waiting room/sheds. He said the issue of providing AMF at all the polling stations was taken up with the chief secretary and the state government has been directed to complete the required facilities at the earliest.
The CEC also pointed out that the ECI was laying special emphasis on making the election process accessible for all sections of the electorate, particularly the persons with disabilities (PwDs), aged and ‘infirm’ electors and towards this, all polling premises should have sturdy ramps (temporary or permanent) for barrier-free access while Braille ballot paper would be provided for the visually impaired voters.
He said a database of PwD voters is being created and they would be enrolled and mapped with PS and the list shall be given to all the BLOs for providing special assistance.

IT initiatives
The CEC said new information technology initiatives will be introduced in the forthcoming 2018 election not only for improved facilitation of various stakeholders but also to ensure efficient and effective monitoring of various election processes as well as redressal of public grievances. These include SAMADHAN- Public Grievance Redressal and Monitoring System, SUVIDHA- Single Window Permission System (for meetings, rallies etc. for political parties), SUGAM- Vehicle Management System (for requisition of vehicles, transfer from one district to another etc.), Election Atlas – GIS maps for 60 ACs with election related information, RONET- to monitor various activities of the assembly elections, and Webcasting for all the polling stations, police check posts, counting centres where internet connection is feasible while fixed video cameras will be used in the rest.
“The commission has directed the state level and district level election machinery to be fearless, unbiased, neutral and independent from any influence whatsoever.
Anyone found left wanting on these standards, commission will not hesitate to take stern action,” the CEC announced.