O. P. Rawat the current Cheif Election Commissioner has said that commission is well equipped and will conduct election only at the end of the term of the assembly. Also, He added the Election Commission (EC) itself has given the suggestions on the issue of ‘one nation, one poll’ in 2015. Legally, Simultaneous Election is not possible without a legal framework. So, it requires a constitutional amendment for the curtailment and extension of the term of the assemblies. He also gave an important input on the usage of EVMs and VVPATs.
Logistically, There should be an availability of 100% VVPATs (Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machines) for conducting the simultaneous election. Election Commission is busy and serious to procure the EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) and VVPATs before the 2019 General Election. Election Commission already ordered the 13.95 lakh ballot units and 9.3 lakh control units which are hoping to deliver by September 30. Also, 16.15 lakh VVPATs will be delivered by the end of November. There are many requirements other than EVMs and VVPATs for simultaneous election, added O. P. Rawat on EVMs and VVPATs.
O. P. Rawat says the panel will conduct election only at the end of the term of the assembly. He added the Election Commission (EC) itself has given the suggestions on the issue of ‘one nation, one poll’ in 2015. So, These are the additional police force, polling personnel etc. to conduct the simultaneous election.
Challenges to Ensure EVMs with VVPATS
Most importantly, the Election Commission has to ensure some additional EVMs and VVPATs, in case of the misfunctions and faults in at the time of the election. Recently, during a by-election in different states, about 11% of the VVPAT machine was not working properly. Also, the Election Commission has to ensure nearly 24 lakh EVMs to conduct the simultaneous election. It is double the number of the EVMs which required for the parliamentary polls itself. On discussion with the Law Commission, Election Commission made clear that for conducting the simultaneous election, It required around Rs 4,500 crore to buy the additional 12 lakh EVMs and VVPATs of the same amount.
Mr. Rawat said that the Election Commission will stick to its obligation and continue to deliver services at any cost. So, Rawat on EVMs and VVPATs ensures that General Election 2019 will be free and fair.
