Last Update: January 17th, 2023, 08:30 AM IST
Opposition leaders urged the Election Commission to address the issue of urban apathy towards the election process (photo for representation).
Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh also questioned the need for RVM, saying there are other ways to increase voter participation.
Matters related to legal, administrative aspects and logistical challenges for remote voting were also discussed, as several opposition parties on Monday questioned the need to deploy Remote Voting Machines (RVMs).
Election The Commission on Monday extended till February 28 the date for submission of written views by political parties on various issues regarding RVM.
Sources in the poll panel said on Monday that the Election Commission held extensive discussions with recognized political parties on the issue of increasing voter participation in the election process.
Representatives of eight national and 40 state recognized political parties held day-long discussions and agreed on the broad objectives of each effort to include non-voting voters in the election process.
More than 80 representatives of political parties patiently listened to each other’s arguments. Sources said he appreciated the EC’s initiative of convening the all-party discussion and suggested more such discussions on a regular basis in future.
However, opposition leaders urged the Election Commission to address the issue of urban apathy towards the election process.
No opposition party wants to see the performance of Remote Voting Machine (RVM). Speaking to the media after attending a meeting of political parties convened by the Election Commission to demonstrate the working of the RVM, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh said, “First the issue of need for such a machine should be resolved.”
Singh said, “The idea of RVM is not acceptable,” and added that the commission should address the concerns about electronic voting machines raised by eminent citizens of the country.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Sanjay Singh also questioned the need for RVM, saying there are other ways to increase voter participation.
“How will we campaign among eligible overseas voters in different states using RVM? When a bypoll is held on a seat, say Jalandhar, RVM is not acceptable,” he said.
Officials said the Election Commission held discussions with all parties after a gap of five years to discuss various matters related to electoral processes with special focus on the concept of remote voting for domestic migrants.
“Matters relating to legal, administrative aspects and logistical challenges to remote voting were discussed. Some political parties requested for demonstration of remote voting machines in states, while some others wanted the concept of domestic migrants to be defined, said an official.
With a view to find a technological solution for overseas voters, which is reliable, accessible and acceptable to all stakeholders, the Commission has decided to use a modified version of the time-tested model of M3 EVMs to enable voting at remote polling stations. Explored the option. For domestic migrants there is a polling station outside the domestic constituency.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)