The upcoming municipal elections in Jharkhand will be conducted using ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), according to the State Election Commission. The move has sparked widespread discussion among political parties as well as the administrative machinery. Explaining the rationale behind the decision, the State Election Commission said the state does not have an adequate number of EVMs to conduct the municipal polls.
While the required machines are usually arranged by borrowing from other states, neighbouring states, including Bihar, have expressed their inability to provide EVMs this time.
Moreover, the company manufacturing EVMs has informed the Commission that supplying new machines would take at least a year. In view of these constraints, the Commission decided to revert to the ballot paper system for the forthcoming civic body elections.
State Election Commission Secretary Radheshyam Prasad said that preparations for conducting the elections through ballot papers are underway. He added that different coloured ballot papers will be used for different posts in the municipal elections.
One colour ballot paper will be issued for the chairperson’s post, while another colour will be used for ward member elections.
Voters will receive two ballot papers at the polling station and will be required to cast their votes by placing them in separate ballot boxes.
The Commission has assured that all necessary arrangements will be put in place to ensure smooth, transparent and fair polling across the state.
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