BJP demands EVM instead of ballot paper in Chhattisgarh municipal polls

The dates of municipal elections in Chhattisgarh are yet to be announced and could be held in mid-October.

Updated on: Sep 12, 2019, 15:51:37 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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The BJP has demanded that electronic voting machines (EVMs) be used for municipal elections in Chhattisgarh, instead of the ballot papers being used now.

A delegation of BJP submitted a memorandum to state election commissioner demanding that electronic voting machines (EVMs) be used for municipal elections in Chhattisgarh, instead of ballot papers. (HT Photo)

The dates of municipal elections are yet to be announced and could be held in mid-October.

A delegation of BJP submitted a memorandum to state election commissioner in this regard on Wednesday evening.

The BJP unit of Chhattisgarh raised three points in the memorandum , which include extension of the date of claims of objections in electoral roll, to review the delimitations of wards and use to EVMs.

“In municipal elections polling is more than 90 percent in most of wards hence the use of ballot papers will be a time taking process,” Dharmlal Kaushik, leader of opposition and senior leader of BJP, told HT on Thursday.

A delegation of senior leaders of BJP, including Kaushik, urban body election incharge Amar Agarwal, former minister Brijmohan Agarwal and Raipur MP Sunil Soni reached state election commission’s office.

“Even a little possibility of use of ballot papers is rattling BJP. We came to know that all the top leaders visited state election commissioner’s office which shows their love towards EVMs. When BJP was in opposition, they used to oppose the use EVM and since Narendra Modi came in power, BJP is enjoying all the benefits of EVM. Congress and all major opposition parties have opposed the continuation of EVM,” said state Congress spokesperson, Shailesh Nitin Trivedi.

On the other hand, senior IAS officers in Chhattisgarh government claimed that the use of ballot papers in all elections of urban bodies had not yet been decided.

“It is technically not possible since EVM for every ward is impossible. In Raipur only there are 70 wards… but government may use EMVs for mayor election. Never in Chhattisgarh, EVM has been used for urban body elections,” said a senior IAS officer close to CM.

State election commissioner Thakur Ram Singh said the poll panel will look into the demands of BJP leaders.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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