SHILLONG: The election this time has several new features which were introduced to encourage voters to be part of free and fair polls.
The most talked about feature is the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail, or VVPAT.
The Election Department held a series of awareness programmes on VVPATs in the run-up to the polls to acclimatise voters with the newly introduced machine.
VVPAT is connected to the ballot and control units of the EVM. Voters can verify the candidate of their choice from the VVPAT that prints a slip containing the poll symbol and the name of the candidate seen from a glass case in the VVPAT for seven seconds after which the slip automatically drops into the box in the VVPAT producing a beep sound.
VVPATs will be used along with EVMs in all polling stations to enhance transparency.
VVPAT from one polling station in each constituency will be randomly selected to count the paper slips for verification of the result obtained from the control unit.
Webcasting
Another feature of this election is live monitoring of the polling process through webcasting at identified critical/vulnerable polling stations.
This will keep a check on money distribution and bogus voting, among other illegal activities.
There will be real time webcasting of 193 polling stations which can be monitored by the election officials.
Role model
The number of model polling stations in East Khasi Hills is 63 where water, restrooms will be made available. Uniformed block-level officers will help voters, particularly women, elderly and the disabled.
There will be ramps with double handrails, mobile toilets, visible signboards, sun caps, sweets, water dispenser, first voter certificate, first aid, selfie booth and ‘First to Vote Medals’.
The Election Department will give medals to the first five voters in every booth.
Another initiative is the all-woman polling stations.
The CEO’s office has used social media to draw the technology savvy youngsters to vote. The Facebook page of the chief electoral officer (https://www.facebook.com/ceomeghalaya) is created with an aim to circulate and propagate information relating to voting, voters’ registration and different SVEEP activities taken up by the state and other related issues.
There is also a Facebook alert on voting day.
A mobile application for voters has been introduced for all necessary information about the election. The app can be downloaded from Google Playstore.
Voters can search their respective polling stations with the help of the app, besides locating their booths.
Booth adoption
The Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd has adopted three polling stations and converted them into model booths. These are in Mawlai Umjaiur in Shillong, Jowai Dulong in Jowai and Mawrusyiar Government LP School in Nongstoin.
These booths will have, among other facilities, shamiyanas (tents), drinking water, temporary waiting room for women with infants and the elderly and a help desk for voters who are aged or differently abled.
