SHILLONG: Different political parties of Meghalaya on Friday aired their concern over the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) before the Chief Election Commission of India, Achal Kumar Jyoti during his visit to Shillong.
Political parties like Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), United Democratic Party (UDP), Khun Hynniewtrep and National Awakening Movement (KHNAM) raised the concern over the use of EVMs saying it is fishy.
The UDP which has been vocal against use of EVMs and also passed a resolution in its executive committee meeting recently, said they had raised the matter again with the CEC.
UDP working president, Bindo M Lanong after meeting the Chief Election Commissioner, questioned as why a small state like Meghalaya having just 60 seats could not go for ballot paper.
“Over 50 per cent of the population has raised doubts over the EVMs,” Lanong said after the party’s meeting with the CEC.
Lanong, however said, the CEC seemed to be “a nice person” and has assured that the EVMs are “not tamperable” as these are standalone machines.
During the meeting, Jyoti has also assured that if any doubts are raised during the elections process, the Election Commission will look into the matter.
“He has given an assurance to us and so we would now work out with the State Election Commission’s office with some of the finer details of our concerns,” he added.
Similarly, KHNAM also raised the issue of EVMs and also sought that a minimum education qualification and retirement age for politicians be fixed.
The National People’s Party had no such concerns over the EVMs and sought more security during the election process.
The party said during the recent MP bye elections in Tura, candidates were moving around with “heavy security” and violating model code of conduct.
On the other hand, NCP raised the issue of security personnel stationed in the State Capital in the Assam Regimental Centre and the Gorkha Training Centre having Service Voter Identity Card and exercising their franchise in the State elections through postal ballot long after being posted outside Meghalaya.
“Personnel recruited from Nepal are also having these Service Voter Identity Cards. We have demanded that these cards be scrapped immediately,” NCP general secretary, S Thapa said.
The Chief Election Commissioner is accompanied by Election Commissioners, Sunil Arora and Om Prakash Rawat. The Central Election Commission which is on a two-day visit to Shillong met representatives of political parties from the state, senior police officials, and Deputy commissioners from different districts.
The team is here to review the poll preparedness in the state with the state Election Commission and other senior government officials.