Mizoram poll VVPAT to be used in 10 constituencies
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Aizawl, November 11 2013: Due to shortage of machines, VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trial), which contain voting receipt, name and serial number of candidate voted, shall be used only in 10 Assembly constituencies of Aizawl District this time in the ensuing State Assembly poll.

This was learnt in a training held today at Aizawl DC Committee room under the leadership of K.N.Bhar, Secretary, Election Commission of India whereat R.O.s, A.R.O.s and Sectoral Magistrates within Aizawl District Assembly Constituency discussed on the VVPAT (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trial) and learnt the way of using it.

The VVPAT, which is designed to provide the voter with detail information of his voting and to prevent discrepancy, will make sure that the voter casted his vote against the rightful candidate of his choice.

As the VVPAT will record the voter's voting receipt, name and serial number of the candidate voted, the same can be used in case of any fraud which necessitates recount of votes.

Meanwhile, just two weeks away for the Mizoram assembly election, hectic preparation is on and election related officials are being well-equipped with all the required technical know-how to ensure free, fair and errorless election.

Presiding officers and polling officers were today imparted training in which they were instructed on their responsibilities in the election and how to carry out their duty effectively.

Inaugurating the Training, it was given detailed explanation and the duties and responsibilities of the presiding officers and the polling officers.

Among the important points mentioned by the DEO in the training includes that presiding officers/polling officers or any officer appointed to deal with Election, are as per Representative of the People Act, 1951 section 28A, under the authority of the Election Commission of India and are to perform whatever task assigned to them by the Election Commission.

In the mean time, presiding officers are entitled with highest authority in their respective Polling Station, and as such, given that they are responsible for ensuring 'free & fair' election, they are therefore responsible to handle and discrepancy/menace; neither can they hand over their responsibility to others.

The presiding officers are to clearly know the system of using the Electronic Voting Machine.

Mention may be made here that as per direction of ECI, for the first time the EVM will now have 'None of The Above' (NOTA) Button giving the voters' a right to reject all the candidates.

The EVM machine must be verified by the presiding officers before the poll begins in the presence of polling agents that the EVM is empty.

For the verification purpose, the Presiding officers must also conduct 'Mock Poll'.

As the polling scene in each polling station is to be photographed, mobile phone is allowed to be used where there is inconvenience in cameraman, the photographic picture to be handed to MCMC by the presiding officers at the earliest when they reach the district headquarters.

Presiding officers should also prepare Polling Report at the earliest.

Besides, on the day of election, Booth Level Officers will be there the whole day in each of the Polling Station with their Mobile Phones to report the progress of the polling.

If they happen to be in a place where there is no signal, they could give report through BLO or W/T Operator duty.

Vote casting will begin from7 am and ends by 4 pm on the scheduled date for polling i.e.November 25 .

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