The district election department launched a 10-day long training campaign to educate voters about the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in municipal corporation of Haldwani (MCH) here on Monday.
To help the voters become familiar with the functioning of the EVMs, about a dozen EVM training centres have been setup across different parts of the MCH.
The voters may avail the training facility at Haldwnai tehsil campus, Banbhoolpura, Indira Nagar (near GGIC), Indira Nagar (near GIC), Rajpura (Dhobighat), Ujala Nagar, N K Dharmkanta, Kaladhungi Road, Kalawati Colony, Kathgodam (near railway station), Kathgodam (near GIC), Rampur Road and Nainital Road, informed the officials concerned. B C Karnatak, CVO, Nainital, is the Officer in charge of this EVM training programme and G S Negi, Principal, ITI, Haldwani is the Assistant Officer in charge of this said EVM training campaign, said R D Paliwal, Returning Officer (RO), MCH elections. Master trainers or experts will educate the voters about the use of the EVMs and solve the EVM related queries if the voters raise any, the RO further said.
More so, as the officials concerned of the district election department said as some changes have been made in the EVM used in the last assembly polls, so, the voters need to be aware about these certain changes during the 10 day long training campaign which will continue till April 24.
That is why we have also urged the voters to get the necessary information about these certain changes at the different EVM training centres set up across the MCH, the officials concerned of the district election department added.
At the same time the officials concerned also informed that voting for both the mayor and councillor posts will be done in the same EVM.
It is worth mention here that this is the first time when EVMs have been introduced to conduct voting for the MCH elections. According to the officials concerned there are about 97,776 voters in the MCH and these civic polls are being conducted as per the 2001 census. Besides, there are 25 wards in the MCH.
DEO appoints 41 master trainers
To conduct local body poll smoothly District Election Officer (DEO) BVRC Purushottam has appointed 41 master trainers and these trainers imparted training programme about how to use Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to the election officials on Monday as well.
Addressing to the master trainer, Purushottam appealed them to impart training programme with full dedication and honesty. He also asked the election official to learn all the nitty-gritty of the EVM so that they can assist their subordinate in case they face inconvenience during polling at booth. As we know small negligence can create big problem so be cautious while attending the training programme. As per the state election commission (SEC) master trainers were appointed so you discuss all your inquisitiveness related to EVMs. These master trainers would submit their daily report about the training program to their in-charge and assistant in-charge. He made it clear that in case of negligence then concerned official will be made accountable.