E-ballot paper set for debut
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 28 2016: For the first time in the electoral history of Manipur, e-postal ballot paper will be used in the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly election.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) VK Dewangan told The Sangai Express that around 11,000 voters of Manipur are working in Army, Air Force, Navy and different Central paramilitary forces.

To remedy the usual problems encountered in sending ballot papers to these out-stationed voters through post offices, e-postal ballot paper would be introduced in the forthcoming election, Dewangan said.

In order to introduce e-postal ballot papers, EROs would first send e-mails to the record officers of different units where the out-stationed voters are currently posted.

Arrival of e-postal ballot papers would be informed to each service voter through their respective mobile numbers and to access the e-postal ballot papers, they would be given temporary passwords.

By using the temporary passwords, they can download their e-postal ballot papers.

After casting votes, they should send back the downloaded e-postal ballot papers through post offices, informed the CEO.

A separate electoral roll of the service voters of Manipur would be released on January 10 and a comprehensive electoral roll of the State would be released on January 12 .

So far, 1258 numbers of VVPAT machines have reached the State and arrangements are being made to use VVPAT machines in 15 Assembly segments.

Meanwhile, 1500 EVMs have been brought from Assam.

Extensive awareness programmes on using EVM and VVPAT machines would be held at higher secondary schools, colleges and 60 voter registration and facilitation centres starting from next month.

Flying squads of the 11th Manipur Legislative Assembly election would be equipped with GPS devices, Dewangan said.

He further informed that vehicles needed for transporting security forces for the State Assembly election would be hired by the Government of Assam and sent to the State.

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