SHILLONG: The Opposition UDP has submitted a petition to the Election Commission of India (ECI) questioning the procurement of new EVMs by the District Council Affairs (DCA) department to be used for the February 24 district council elections in the State.
“As per media reports Chief Election Commissioner of India HS Brahma had categorically stated that only the Election Commission and the State Election Commission can purchase EVMs,” UDP secretary Allantry F Dkhar stated in a petition to the Chief Election Commissioner on Friday.
Dkhar complained that the State’s District Council Affairs department had recently purchased EVMs to be used for the ensuing elections to the KHADC and the JHADC.
“We would like to seek clarification from your good office as to whether the procurement of EVMs by the District Council Affairs department of the Government of Meghalaya is valid and whether this has the sanction of the ECI,” the UDP secretary said.
It may be mentioned that the District Council Affairs department has spend over 2 crore rupees for purchasing new EVMs.
At the time of indention, the Commissioner and Secretary, District Council Affairs department, had informed that the cost per EVMs was Rs 10,000, while adding that they have purchased a total number of 1925 new EVMs which would be used for the upcoming elections.