The State BJP unit today approached the Election Commission suggesting extension of polling time by at least one hour. The party has cited more time consumed by the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)-fitted EVMs which are going to be deployed in the State during the Lok Sabha elections.
State BJP general secretary Deepak Prakash on Thursday led a delegation to the office of the Chief Electoral Office and handed over suggestions in detail, regarding the upcoming polls to Chief Electoral Officer L Khiyangte.
“We have submitted our views on the poll preparations which were sought by the Election Commission. The Party has demanded advancing the closing time of voting by at least one hour since the VVPAT takes more time. Also, we have also urged the Commission to ensure that any additional identity card be mandatory for the voter besides the BLO slip which is often get misused,” said the BJP functionary. Another point submitted by the BJP to the ECI is about timely delivery of postal ballots used by personnel deployed in far flung areas.
“It is a welcome move from the Commission that they send e-ballots to the voters but it has to be ensured that the postal department also delivers the polled postal ballots before the counting,” added Deepak Prakash.