The role of municipal corporation commissioners and additional commissioners is most important in the ensuing urban body elections.
Intensive and planned efforts are needed to be undertaken to ensure successful conduct of these elections. This was stated by State Election Commissioner R Parasuram while inaugurating a training programme at the commission's office here on Friday under which training will be imparted to all municipal corporation commissioners and additional commissioners in preparation of photo electoral rolls and functioning and operation of electronic voting machines.
Parasuram said that Madhya Pradesh is among the very few States of the country where voters directly elect mayors of municipal corporations and chairpersons of Nagar Palikas. In view of this, the role of all municipal corporation commissioners and additional commissioners assumes greater significance in ensuing urban body elections. He said these elections are being conducted through EVMs for the first time in the State. This training will help all participants become aware of the EVM's functioning apart from the process to prepare error-free photo electoral rolls.
The State Election Commissioner directed to invite the concerned Collector to the meeting of the municipal corporation council and organise demonstration of EVMs' functioning and mock poll.
Parasuram also laid emphasis on the need for voter awareness campaign. He said that maximum number of voters will participate in ensuing urban body elections due to which polling percentage will also increase. He said that posters of voter awareness campaign should be printed through public sector institutions.
Deputy Secretary Girish Sharma gave detailed information about recently launched website of the commission www.mplocalelection.gov.in and enumerated commission's priorities.
Parasuram also released a voter awareness campaign booklet (SENSE) on the occasion. All municipal corporation commissioners and additional commissioners in the State participated in the first session of the training.