Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Aug 23: The controversy over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) from Gujarat for the forthcoming Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir has come to an end with the Election Commission of India (ECI) changing its decision. Now, EVMs from Bihar or Jharkhand are on the priority list of the Commission, which is going to issue formal orders in this regard on Monday.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that in the light of ongoing controversy, the Election Commission of India has decided not to bring Electronic Voting Machines from Gujarat and the same was conveyed to the Election Department of Jammu and Kashmir telephonically today.
“Late this evening, the Election Department of Jammu and Kashmir conveyed this to the teams of the officers camping in Gujarat and they have been directed to stay put there till further orders from the Commission about bringing EVMs from other States”, sources said.
It is pertinent to mention here that these teams headed by the officers of the level of Assistant Commissioners were deputed to Gujarat from August 18 onwards for bringing 20,000 ballot units and 16000 counting units for which they, on the directions of the Election Department of Jammu and Kashmir, had also hired large number of vehicles as well as containers.
“The Election Commission is exploring the options of bringing EVMs either from Bihar or Jharkhand or partially from both the States”, sources informed, adding formal orders in this regard would be issued by the Commission on Monday. Following the orders from Election Commission, the State Election Department would convey to the teams comprising of over 200 officers as to whether they would directly visit these States or return before embarking on further visits.
The decision about bringing EVMs from Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, was earlier put on hold by the Election Commission amidst reservations by political parties in Jammu and Kashmir against the poll panel’s move.
According to the sources, the change in the decision of Election Commission of India on ‘uncalled for’ ground of different political parties would put additional burden on the official machinery involved in the forthcoming Assembly elections in the State keeping in view the exercise required to be carried out following the arrival of EVMs.
As per the procedure laid down by the Election Commission of India, on the arrival of the EVMs, their First Level Check is required to be conducted by the engineers of the Bharat Electrical Limited (BEL) that too at the district level and in the presence of the representatives of the political parties. Thereafter, Observers (Divisional Commissioners) would conduct Second Level Check to ensure strict compliance of the guidelines of the Election Commission during the First Level Check. It is only after the Second Level Check that EVMs are sealed for being used in the elections.
In response to a question, sources said that on August 4, the Chief Electoral Officer, J&K had issued directions for completion of First Level Check by 25th of August so as to complete the entire exercise by first week of September.
“Now, in view of change in decision of Election Commission of India, this exercise would get stretched beyond first week of September albeit by some days and accordingly put burden on the official machinery involved in the election process”, sources said.
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