The Election Commission of India has taken steps to restrain political parties from eroding their opponents’ vote share in the State Assembly elections, which may be held in May.
The commission will introduce door-to-door distribution of identification slips which will bear the voter’s name and number, polling timing and booth details, two to three days before the elections. The measure came in the wake of complaints from some parties that the Electors’ Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) were being taken away from voters to prevent them from casting their ballots in favour of political opponents.
Addressing a press conference in the City on Saturday, following a two-day preparatory exercise for the elections, Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath said the voter identification slips would serve as “mini EPIC.”
“The voter slips issued by the EC will serve as valid identification for voting in case the EPIC is misplaced or lost,” Sampath said.
Hitherto, political parties distributed these identity slips, which also bore the name of the party’s candidate and symbol. Now, the parties will be directed to refrain from distributing any identity slip with the name of the contestant and symbol.
Booth level officers will arrange for distribution of these slips at the voter’s doorstep.
“Kiosks will be set up near every polling booth to issue voter slips in case they have not received them,” the CEC said.
The programme was introduced at the state level during the elections to the three north-eastern states of Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya.
Election dates
Sampath said the EC would take a call on election dates after holding further discussions in New Delhi. “We have to consider the availability of central forces. All factors will be considered before making the final announcement,” he said.
When asked whether the commission would opt for a single-phase poll in Karnataka, Sampath said: “Some parties have sought single-phase polls, there are others who have sought two or three phase polls. We are examining. It will again depend on the availability and deployment of central forces.”
The booth-wise electoral rolls have been uploaded on the website “ceokarnataka.nic.in.” Those who have not enrolled yet can get themselves enlisted by filling Form 6 and submitting it to the jurisdictional electoral officers.
All officers concerned have been directed to take actions to rectify mistakes in electoral rolls, Sampath said.
Fair poll
- For the first time, EC to depute special observers to monitor security arrangements
-Police department directed to execute all non-bailable warrants
-Every candidate should open separate bank account for drawing election expenses
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks