Preparations for urban bodies’ elections in Madhya Pradesh scheduled in two phases in October and for three-tier Panchayat elections scheduled in the month of January 2015, have been started.
From June 1 the work of voters-list with photograph for municipal elections would be started and the preparation of voters list with photograph for three-tier Panchayat elections would start from July 1.The decision of voting through electronic voting machines (EVMs) has been taken and to implement the decision 50,000 machines would be procured from ECIl Company of Hyderabad and after procuring the machines they would be distributed to districts by July 30.
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 EVMs’ functioning apart from process to prepare error-free photo electoral rolls.State Election Commissioner R Parshuram has directed to invite concerning collector in the meeting of Municipal Corporation Council and organise demonstration of EVMs’ functioning and mock poll.
He 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.The information were provided during a review meeting in which State Election Commissioner R Parshuram, Chief Secretary Antony DeSa and senior officials during a review meeting on the preparations of urban bodies’ and Panchayat elections.
Additional Chief Secretary Panchayat and Rural Development Aruna Sharma was also present during the occasion. This is for the first time that voter list with photograph would be used in the Municipal and Panchayat elections.Madhya Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation (MPSEDC) has been appointed as state level agency and based on the voter list of the Election Commission of India ward wise voter list with photograph would be prepared.
Mayor, Chairman and corporators in the urban bodies would be elected through EVMs. Sarpanch and members of district and Janpad Panchayat would be elected through EVMs, while for the post of Panch, ballot system would be used.In the month of March, www.mplocalelection.gov.in website was launched by State Election Commission was launched which would connect all the districts and provide all the activities regarding the voter list.