TURA: The state elections, expected sometime next month, could witness a record voter turnout in Garo Hills as this would be the first time the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) would be in use in all polling stations.
The VVPAT allows the voter to see briefly a printed slip of the vote cast.
West Garo Hills district election officer and deputy commissioner, Ram Singh, has stated that VVPAT would be in use in all the 473 polling stations across the district.
With VVPAT in use during polling, a voter who has cast his ballot in an electronic voting machine (EVM) will also see on the screen of the VVPAT machine a printed copy containing the serial number, name and symbol of the candidate he has voted for. This ballot slip will be visible for seven seconds after which it will be cut and dropped in the printer’s drop box.
A ‘hands on demo’ was organised during a familiarisation meeting on Monday to create awareness with party representatives and other participants trying out the VVPAT machines and casting their vote in a mock exercise.
“This is the first time in Meghalaya that VVPAT machines are being introduced for polls and today’s exercise would be replicated in villages and far-flung areas as well,” Singh said.
He said the awareness exercise was taken up as several misconceptions about the use of EVMs have been noted on social media.
“This ‘hands on demo’ is being carried out before political parties and the maximum number of electors in villages and other areas to boost voter confidence and clear the air on misconceptions. These are the latest VVPAT machines,” said the deputy commissioner.
He also pointed out that with the presence of a paper trail, a voter having a dispute on its performance will have to make a declaration under law, and if caught lying, would be prosecuted.
Some of the political party representatives who witnessed the VVPAT demo included Grithalson Arengh of Congress, Mathias Marak of National People’s Party and sitting MDC, Augustine Marak, who represents Garo National Council (GNC).
“I took part in the VVPAT demo and it was satisfying to see the vote cast by me as well as the ballot slip. Such an exercise will clear the air on voters’ concerns,” said Arengh.
“The decision by the Election Commission of India to make it mandatory for VVPATs during voting is a welcome step which will boost the confidence of voters,” said Mathias.
Sitting GHADC MDC, Augustine, who is also an aspiring candidate from Siju-Rongara, said the VVPAT is accepted wherever it is used.
“This will further strengthen democracy in our state and country,” said Augustine.
Training for elections: Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner (election) in West Garo Hills has informed officials that the first phase of training for Assembly elections for West Garo Hills district has been scheduled from January 10 to 12 and those listed for training have been directed to attend without fail.
