VVPAT, EVM M-3 machines to be used in upcoming Rajasthan assembly elections: Election Commission
New Delhi, September 19: In a first, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) and EVM M-3 machines are all set to be used in the upcoming Rajasthan assembly elections. This was said by Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat on Tuesday.
Notably, in a press conference, Chief Election Commissioner O P Rawat said that polling in all 200 constituencies in the upcoming Rajasthan assembly elections would be conducted through Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) and EVM M-3 machines.
He further said, "The polling would be conducted in a fair and transparent manner with the new technology on all 200 assembly constituencies in Rajasthan so that there is no doubt in anyone's mind against the election process." Rawat also added that the election commission firmly believes that EVM and VVPAT machines are "non-tamperable" and credible.
The chief election commissioner also noted that accessibility observers would be appointed for the first time in the assembly elections in the state due later this year, and at least one polling booth in each assembly constituency would be managed by women.
Informing about the launch of a 'cVIGIL' mobile app, Rawat said that through this app citizens can keep a strict vigil on the elections and report unlawful campaign activities and violation of election code of conduct. “Complaints lodged through the app will be resolved in a maximum of 100 minutes,” he added.
Rawat said out of the 200 assembly constituencies, 141 are general seats whereas 34 and 25 seats, respectively, are reserved for SC and ST category. He added that income tax officials would be appointed to keep a vigil on election expenditure by the candidates.
Importantly, as per the electoral voters list updated till July 31, 2018, there were 475.10 lakh voters, including 248.21 lakh men and 226.89 lakh women. Nearly 349 voters from the third gender category are also likely to exercise their right to vote in the elections.