EVMs can't be tampered with: CEC Sunil Arora

* Bihu festival dates to be taken cognizance of

* Borders & inter-State boundaries under vigil* Expenditure limit of candidate increased to Rs 30.80 lakh

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) can't be tampered with, underlined Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora on Wednesday. Stating this in the presence of Election Commissioners Sushil Chandra and Rajiv Kumar while addressing the media here, he added, "The Election Commission of India (ECI) will have zero tolerance about misuse of money power or government machinery during the forthcoming Assembly polls. In this regard, a specific meeting was already held with various Enforcement Agencies to crack the whip wherever required."

He further pointed out, "All devious transactions will be strictly monitored; and if any such deals take place, action will be taken as per law. During the Assembly election, bank authorities and Income Tax (IT) department will constantly remain in touch with each other."

Stating that "the law-and-order situation is presently under control", the CEC added, "To ensure free-and-fair election, the ECI is in touch with all security agencies. The international borders with Bhutan and Bangladesh as well as the inter-State boundaries are being kept under vigil."

The CEC further assured that "sensitivities about Bihu festival dates will be taken cognizance of and factored in while drawing up the schedule of election dates".

He added that keeping in view the COVID-19 protocol, the polling hours will be increased by one hour. Stating that the expenditure limit of each candidate has been increased to Rs 30.80 lakh, the CEC added that nominations will be allowed to be filed in the online mode also. Though door-to-door campaigning has been allowed, only five supporters will be allowed to accompany each candidate. Similarly, road shows with some conditions will be allowed.

Concluding their three-day visit to the State on Wednesday, the ECI team conducted an in-depth review of poll preparedness of the State from January 18.

The CEC pointed out, "The Commission has directed the electoral machinery of the State to gear up with due logistics arrangements. The Commission is committed to deliver free, fair, peaceful, transparent, ethical and inclusive as well as COVID-safe elections. Effective mechanism is being fine-tuned for smooth conduct of the electoral process."

CEC Arora further said, "The Commission solicits proactive support of all political parties, media organisations, civil society, youth and community organisations and all voters to join hands with the Commission and wholeheartedly participate in the poll process."

Lauding the significant role played by the 'Special Expenditure Observers' during the recently held Assembly polls in other States, CEC Arora said, "As per well-established norm, the Commission deploys experienced officers as 'Observers' from outside the State in every election after due scrutiny. If required, 'Special Expenditure Observers' will also be deployed in sensitive/critical constituencies/districts."

Keeping in view the COVID-19 related social-distancing norms, the Commission has specifically revisited some extant norms. As a result, the maximum number of electors at a polling station has been reduced from 1,500 to 1,000. Accordingly for Assam, the number of polling stations would go up by about 5,000 and the number is likely to be more than 33,000 for the forthcoming elections. This increase in the number of polling stations in turn would have other logistics and manpower implications.

The Commission directed the District Election Officers (DEOs) that steps are taken for the 'Assured Minimum Facilities' (AMF) at each polling station including drinking water, toilets, waiting area and ramps be provided at all the polling stations. All the polling stations should have voter assistance booth. As an extension of AMFs, all polling stations will ensure social distancing, sanitizing, temperature check, gloves, among other facilities.

CEC Arora added, "The Election Commission attaches utmost priority to ensure purity of electoral rolls. All DEOs have been asked to ensure fidelity of rolls. The Special Summary Revision of Photo Electoral Rolls-2021 exercise was completed on January 18, 2021 with the final publication of the electoral rolls.

"The BLOs (Booth Level Officers) will undertake house-to-house visits for facilitation of Form 12D for the senior citizens and the PwD (Persons with Disability) electors so that they can exercise their option for postal ballot if they desire. This will be available from the date of announcement till the fifth day following the election notification.

"SVEEP (Systematic Voters' Education & Electoral Participation) programme will be intensified to reach out to more voters especially 80+, PwDs and the young as well as women voters."

The Commission further noted that the team of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has ensured location of all auxiliary polling stations at the ground level and in the vicinity of the main polling station to the extent feasible and in consultation with political parties.

During the three-day visit to the State, the ECI officers held repeated meetings with local officers and took stock of the ground situation.The Commission reviewed the poll preparedness work of District Election Officers (DEOs), SPs/ Commissioner of Police, Divisional Commissioners and IGs and also discussed election preparedness with Chief Secretary, DGP, Home Secretary and other senior Officials of the State. Commission reviewed overall poll preparedness with Chief Electoral officer, Police Nodal officer and also the CAPF Nodal Officer.

The Commission also met the nodal officers of Central and State Regulatory Agencies like the Excise Department, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Income Tax, Enforcement Directorate, Railway and Airports authorities, security agencies like BSF, SSB, State Level Bankers' Committee among others to review in detail the strategy to curb misuse of money/drugs/liquor and freebies distribution during the election. This move holds special significance as the Commission recognizes that after the voters, the political parties are the most important stakeholders in any election process.

On Tuesday, representatives of the political parties discussed various issues with the ECI team which also included distribution of the Electors' Photo Identity Cards well in time; and realistic timelines for publishing the criminal antecedents of contesting candidates in media. The CEC stated, "Each candidate will have to publish his/her antecedents thrice in newspapers."

Concern over probable misuse of the social media for spreading communal speeches; misuse of government machinery; misuse of money power and COVID-19 protocol violations was also mentioned by some representatives. All political parties assured the Commission of their full cooperation in ensuring free, fair and peaceful elections.

Also Read: NRC left-out can vote if name figures in electoral roll: CEC Sunil Arora

Also Watch: Fire Destroys House, Property of Poor Family