Bihar panchayat polls: DMs asked to check EVMs by August 20

PATNA: The State Election Commission (SEC) has banned use of places of worship for electioneering in the upcoming panchayat polls. At the same time, the candidates will not be allowed to use flags of any political party during campaigning.
The guidelines issued by the SEC for the upcoming election to three-tier panchayati raj institutions said such practices would be construed as violation of the model code of conduct and invite suitable action.
The panchayat polls in the state are not contested on the party lines. The SEC has also asked the contestants to duly inform the authorities concerned about street plays performed by artists in favour of candidates.
“Staging dharna or shouting slogans in front of the houses of candidates following statements against their opponents in the fray will also come under purview of violation of model code of conduct,” a senior SEC officer said.
Meanwhile, the SEC has asked all the DMs to complete the first-level checking of EVMs by August 20 and rectify the technical snag, if any. Over 1.20 lakh EVMs will be required for the election likely to be held in 10 phases.
In each phase, polling will be held at 15,000 polling booths under two blocks in each district. A senior SEC officer said a proposal would be sent to the panchayati raj department to announce the poll schedule. The department will announce the same after getting state cabinet’s nod.
The schedule for the election to elect over 2.59 lakh representatives is likely to be announced by August-end. The election on the two posts of gram kuchhary – panch and sarpanch – will be conducted through ballot papers.
EVMs will be used to elect representatives on the four posts of mukhiya, ward member, panchayat samiti member and the district board member. The EVMs are being used for panchayat election for the first time in the state.