CEO virtually rules out early Assembly polls

Amidst speculations of early general elections, Odisha Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Surendra Kumar on Tuesday clarified that as the final voters’ list of the State is slated to be published on January 4, 2019; and like last two elections (2009 and 2014) in the State held simultaneously for the Parliament and the Assembly, the State is in the process of finalising the voters’ list. So, there are remote chances of early elections.

Kumar was addressing a Press conference at his office along with two Additional CEOs.

He further observed that though he is not authorised to comment on early polls as a decision to hold elections is left with the Election Commission of India (ECI), he could only say his office has been asked to carry out special a summary revision of the voters’ list and rationalisation of polling booths.

"One of the reasons for calling the Press conference is to clear the air on media speculations of early elections," Kumar said.

The present priority is to prepare the draft electoral roll latest by September 1, 2018, the process of its finalisation, addition and deletion between September 1 and October 31, 2018 and grievance redressal at the level of Electoral Register Office (Sub-Collector), District Election Officer (Collector) and, if required, at the CEO level, Kumar said.

According to the States’ revised voters’ list by January 2018, there are 3,12,57, 803 voters (males 1,61,16,754 and females 1,51,38,898 and Third Gender 2,151). The total booths which were 35,896, may go up to 38,000 after merger and rationalisation, which means there would be additional 1,800 to 2,000 booths.

Kumar said that as the ECI is making a special  drive to enrol new youth voters who will attend 18 years by January 1, 2019, both the Government and the CEO office have decided to conduct special camps enabling them to apply online through the National Voters Services Portal. The CEO would intimate the college and university authorities to issue notifications for mobilisation of new voters.

Besides, the ECI has declared 'Sugam Matadan' meaning accessible voting, Kumar said, "Our focus area is smooth enrolment of people with disabilities by providing ramps, wheelchairs for them and ensuring their voting on priority."

Out of three kinds of EVMs, M2 machines would be used in Odisha; and the CEO is procuring it from six States, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam and Utter Pradesh. VVPAT machines would be procured from the ECIL, Hyderabad. For the first time in the State, Elections Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) would be used in all booths. It was used on test basis in the recent Bijepur by- election. The ECI has already sanctioned 90,000 EVMs and an equal number of VVPATs for Odisha which would come to the State in September-October.

For the safety of EVMs and VVPAT machines, the State Government has sanctioned Rs 124 crore for building warehouses and strong rooms in all district headquarters. A mock poll would be conducted, whose process takes at least a month but would be done much before the actual election dates, Kumar added.