SECs play a big role in supervising and conducting local bodies election: Secretary SEC
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, April 24 2018: Secretary State Election Commission (SEC), Manipur, Radharani Mutum briefed on the functions and working of SEC, Manipur as mainly supervising and control in the conduct of General Panchayat Elections, Gram Panchayats and Zilla Parishads, Municipalities and Autonomous District Councils, besides by-elections to fill up any vacant seats at the local bodies.

During the press conference held today at DIPR office, Moirangkhom, she said that SEC is vested with the work of superintendence, direction and control of all works related to preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of elections to local bodies in the State under relevant Acts and Rules.

During the recent election in October 2017, the SEC successfully completed elections to the 5th General Panchayat Elections covering six valley districts to elect 60 Zilla Parishad members, 161 Pradhans and 1514 members of Gram Panchayat Constituencies, she explained.

SECs play a big role in supervising and conducting local bodies election: Secretary SEC

She also gave a brief history of the constitution of SEC, Manipur in 1994 under section 98 of the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act, 1994.The Secretary stated that the DC (District Election Officer) along with the SDOs (Returning Officers) and SDCs (Assistant Returning Officers) will work in collaboration with the Police Department to resolve any issues or complaint arises in connection with local election.

Conduct of elections at the local level is resilient and need joint effort as it demands working at the micro-level, in a time bound manner, even though the Govt sometimes provides manpower and Ministerial staff, she added.

Highlighting that importance of cooperation of the contesting candidates and the electors for successful and peaceful conduct of the election process, she expressed that the whole process has its own boon and curse.

Unlike the Election Commission of India, there is no time-to-time update of electoral rolls, she said while informing that the Assembly electoral rolls are divided ward-wise and separate electoral rolls are prepared by the appointed Electoral Registration Officers (usually SDOs) six months prior to election, Radharani explained.

She also said that the conduct of elections to local bodies is a big exercise without the EVM machines, however, the use of ballot paper is much simpler and better substitute for some of the illiterate voters.

Awareness to the public and educate them on the different aspects of election process is important as well as necessary, she added.

Joint Director IPR W Phajatombi, while sharing one of her experiences, said that the Panchayat election is a tough task that needs massive support along with huge work that also includes calculation of reservation and lottery and preparation taking around 2-3 months.

Assistant Election Officer, Th Jamuna was also present at the press conference.