A very long wait for voters besides candidates

SHILLONG: Voters in the two constituencies of Meghalaya- Shillong and Tura along with voters in 91 constituencies across the country have to wait almost a month and half before the election results are finally declared on May 23.
The phase I polling for the Lok Sabha elections was held on April 11 in 91 parliamentary constituencies in 20 states
While most of the candidates, who contested the elections in the phase I in Meghalaya and other parts of the country are busy campaigning for their respective parties in other states, the voters are left with no option but to wait till May 23.
Agnes Kharshiing, a voter and president of the Civil Society Women’s Organisation, questioned as to why there is such a long gap between the date of voting and the date of counting.
She also said such long gaps can raise questions about EVMs being tampered and people need to question this.
Another voter and former IAS officer, Toki Blah, however, does not find anything wrong with the long gap saying India is a vast country and the results cannot be announced when elections are still taking place in other parts of the country.
He also said time is required for transferring of personnel and other arrangements in view of the mammoth exercise of conducting elections.
However, another voter, who does not wish to be named, said simultaneous polls or elections in two or three phases can reduce the waiting period for the result.
He added that by the time the results are declared, people will almost forget their candidates.
On the other hand, Chief Electoral Officer FR Kharkongor said the system has been the same throughout the years when elections were conducted in phase wise manner. He also said results will be announced together so that result of one election does not influence the other elections.
The Lok Sabha elections for the 543 seats across the country are being held in seven phases.