Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Tuesday said candidates will be allowed to get Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) tested within seven days after the election results if they wish to verify them.
He made the announcement while addressing a press conference in Kolkata after reviewing election preparations in West Bengal. The briefing was attended by Election Commissioners Vivek Joshi and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, along with West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Agarwal.
Kumar said the provision has been made to ensure transparency and build confidence in the electoral process.
Poll arrangements and transparency measures
The Chief Election Commissioner reiterated that the Election Commission is committed to conducting free, fair and peaceful elections in the state. He also assured that no valid voter's name would be removed from the electoral rolls.
To strengthen transparency during voting, Kumar said webcasting arrangements will be in place at all polling stations across West Bengal.
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He added that voters will have to keep their mobile phones at designated places outside polling booths before entering to cast their votes.
Kumar also said that no polling station will have more than 1,200 voters assigned to it. According to him, more than 80,000 polling booths are expected to be set up across the state for the election.
The commission, he said, has taken these steps to ensure proper management of polling and to maintain transparency throughout the election process.
Stress on violence-free elections
The CEC stressed the need for violence-free elections in West Bengal, stating that the upcoming polls in the state will be conducted in a free and peaceful manner. Gyanesh Kumar said no form of violence will be tolerated during the election process.
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He also warned that officials involved in election duties must not be threatened or intimidated. Kumar said strict action would be taken if any such complaints are received.
Speaking about the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Kumar said the voter list has been prepared in accordance with the Representation of the People Act and the SIR guidelines.
He assured that no eligible voter’s name will be removed from the electoral rolls during the process.
