The innovative measures of Election Commission of India in this lok Sabha election have proved fruitful in increasing people’s faith in democracy by eliminating unlawful activities inside the polling booths. Increased voters turn out in ten parliamentary constituencies of the state which had gone for poll clearly proves the fact.
According to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Jharkhand PK Jajoria, large number of voters came out to vote in the first two rounds in Jharkhand because of the secured environment due to live webcasting and videography at the polling station.
“Eight per cent rise in voters’ turnout in four naxal hit constituencies of the state which went on poll on April 10 and report of peaceful poll is the evident of its success,” added Jajoria.
When polling was being conducted in 19,234 polling stations on April 10 and 17 respectively, the commission kept a hawk’s eye on the 871 polling station through web-casting. Introduced for the first time in India, live webcasting not only kept polling agents of various parties under check but also helped the polling staffs to work efficiently without favour of fear believes CEO.
As many as 271 polling centers during first phase of election and 600 polling centers during second phase were provided webcasting facility. Final phase election in state four Parliamentary constituencies- Rajmahal, Dumka, Godda and Dhanbad is round the concern and as many as 400
polling booths will be under live webcast. “Our effort was to install live webcasting in as many critical polling booths as possible to keep a tab on the situation of the polling booths from inside. Though little sluggish but efforts did not go in vain as we managed get 120 location live webcast in Ranchi parliamentary constituency alone,” said Addition CEO KK Soan.
Along with live webcasting and videography he also credited the paramilitary forces, observers and micro observers in generating confidence among the people in stepping out from their houses to vote even in hyper sensitive areas.
Meanwhile, responding on the query whether the commission is planning to increase the number of webcasting facility in polling booths in the Assembly election Soan said, “There is no plan yet but if requires then we will definitely see to it. No target has been set by the Election Commission on it.”