By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The UDP has urged the Election Commission to revert back to the old ballot system if new upgraded EVMs are not introduced in next year’s assembly polls in the State.
“We demand that the new upgraded electronic voting machines be introduced in the upcoming state elections to be held next year,” UDP Shillong City unit general secretary Allan Dkhar told reporters after a meeting of the party’s Shillong city unit on Saturday.
Referring to an all-party meeting held in Delhi in 2010, Dkhar said political parties have no trust in the EVMS used earlier since it could be tampered easily.
The Meghalaya Election department had recently conducted a mock poll of the upgraded EVMs, but later said that these would not be used in the assembly elections and decided to use the old EVMs.
Meanwhile, the city general council has cleared names of seven candidates of the party of which six have been cleared by the state election committee (SEC) of the party.
Of those cleared by the SEC are Deputy Chief Minister B M Lanong from East Shillong constituency, UDP working president and sitting legislator Paul Lyngdoh from West Shillong, the principal of Pearly Dew School and national awardee Ibarilin Kharsati from North Shillong, MDC Embhahlang Syiemlieh from Mawlai, Predecessor Rumnong from Pynthorbah and Dr Jemino Mawthoh from Nongthymmai.
The formal announcement for Shillong South where the party will field Edward Kharwanlang will be made shortly by the SEC.
Dkhar said the party was hopeful of winning more seats this time from Shillong.
When asked about the winnability of these candidates, Dkhar said, “The party is confident of winning at least five seats, while two others will have to fight it out. He, however, refused to name the five canidadates saying “It is up to the media to analyze.”