Monday, December 9, 2024
spot_img

New features to mark Rajya Sabha poll today

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

SHILLONG: Besides the health protocols over COVID-19, the Rajya Sabha election in Meghalaya to be held on Friday will have many new features.
60 legislators will elect a new member to the Upper House and the choice is between WR Kharlukhi (NPP) and Kennedy Khyriem (Congress).
The election will be held from 9 am to 4 pm at the temporary Assembly at Rilbong and counting of votes will be taken up at 5 pm.
Violet pen
The state Chief Electoral Officer, Frederick Kharkongor said on Thursday that among the features for the purpose of voting, only violet sketch pen supplied by the returning officer will have to be used by the legislators.
Use of any other pen will invalidate the ballot paper.
The voters cannot put tick marks or cross marks but should mention figure 1 or 2 in order of preference.
If there are tick marks or cross marks, such ballot paper will be rejected.
Kharkongor said that in previous Rajya Sabha polls, the legislators were permitted to use personal pens or ball pens.
However, objections were made in Haryana on clarity of marking respective preferences on ballot paper and hence the ECI decided to arrange for centrally provided integrated violet sketch pen which is unique and specific only for elections to the Upper House.
Open ballot
As per the provision of Representation of People Act, the election is by open ballot.
Kharkongor said an elector, who is a member of a political party, should show the ballot paper after voting to the authorised agent of the political party for verification.
If the legislator refuses to show the ballot paper after voting, the vote will be cancelled by the returning officer. Besides, an MLA belonging to one political party cannot show the ballot paper to the authorised agent of any other political party.
However, this is not applicable to Independent MLAs but if they show the ballot paper to the agent of any political party, it would be violation of voting procedure.
Kharkongor said the purpose of open ballot is to prevent cross voting, wipe out corruption and maintain integrity of the democratic system.

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

India and Bangladesh hold Foreign Secretary-level talks amid escalating tensions

Dhaka, Dec 9:  Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Md. Jashim Uddin in Dhaka...

Well-planned anti-India campaigns, says BJP; questions Sonia’s ‘links’ with Soros

New Delhi, Dec 9: The BJP on Monday intensified its attack on the Congress, particularly targeting Sonia Gandhi,...

South Korea: Defence Ministry says control of military currently lies with Yoon

Seoul, Dec 9: The control of South Korea's military forces currently lies with President Yoon Suk Yeol as...

Fadnavis govt sails through confidence motion as house passes resolution by voice vote

Mumbai, Dec 9:  The Maharashtra Assembly on Monday passed a resolution, by voice vote, expressing full faith in...