SHILLONG: Though many political parties have doubted the efficiency of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections, however, the upcoming Lok Sabha will be held using the EVMs only.
Speaking to reporters here recently, Chief Electoral Officer P Naik said that Election Commission of India often stated that if any one had a complaint against EVMs, it should be proved to them.
It may be mentioned that the Opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) raised the issue of malfunction of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in elections, during the first meeting of the North Eastern Regional Political Front (NERPF) at Dimapur, Nagaland recently. “Doubts over the EVMs have been raised by all political parties including the Congress since 2010. But the ECI has not paid any heed to the questions raised,” UDP working president Bindo Mathew Lanong said then.
Reacting to a query about the upcoming MP elections, P Naik said, “We are getting prepared for the elections.” According to Chief Electoral Officer, the final list of electoral roll would be published by January 15 after the approval of the election commission.
The election commission has already prepared the draft list but the officials refused to comment on the number of new inclusions in the electoral roll.
It may be mentioned that an Election Commission of India delegation will visit the state soon to review the preparations for the elections. “I will also convene a meeting with Deputy Commissoners of all the districts and SDO’s on January 16 in view of the upcoming elections,” Naik said.
When asked about the preparedness for the elections in disturbed areas of the state like Garo Hills, he said that the Election Department would request the State Government for managing law and order during the elections.