Hyderabad: SEC goes all out to ensure hitch-free polls

As the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is gearing up for civic polls on December 1, political parties are leaving no stone unturned to lure voters, while the State Election Commission is busy making all arrangements for free and fair elections.

According to State Election Commissioner (SEC) C Partha Sarathi, the first result is likely to be out by 3 pm and results of all 150 divisions will be announced by 6 pm on December 4. So far 62 poll code violations are reported, the Commissioner said, adding that all contingency plans are ready to ensure a smooth election.

A total of 52,500 police personnel is being deployed to maintain law and order. Contingency plans are ready to meet all exigencies. Rs 1,41,88,950 cash without valid documents have been seized so far from various sources. The SEC and election authority, GHMC, are conducting various voter awareness campaign through print, electronic media, FM radios and social media platforms to guide and bring awareness among voters to cast their vote, Said Partha Sarathi.

Speaking exclusively to The Hans India, the Election Commissioner said polling hours are from 7 am to 6 pm and the voters can exercise their franchise at any time as per their convenience. In view of winter season, sufficient lighting will be arranged in an around polling station, he added.

All the electors existing in Assembly electoral rolls till the SEC election notification on November 17 are mapped and included in the GHMC ward wise electoral rolls. If the name exists in the GHMC electoral roll, he can find out his polling station using search option available in tsec.gov.in (website), Te-poll Mobile APP & MyGHMC Mobile App.

The SEC said there was no scope for rigging or impersonation in the present system with photo electoral rolls, photo identity cards and other 18 identity documents having photograph of the voter. "We are arranging web casting and videography. Further the field level officials prepare ASD (Absentee, Shifted, Duplicate or Dead) electors list to avoid impersonation. Every polling station will be covered by webcasting, videography and there is also a micro observer to watch the poll process," he said.

All the elections to local bodies will be conducted with ballot boxes only. The polling personnel are well acquainted with procedures of both EVMs and traditional ballot boxes. "Hence, we are not expecting any problem in that angle. Majority of the political parties also opted for ballot boxes in view of Covid-19 pandemic," he added.

There are total 9,101 polling stations located in 2,937 locations. Every polling station will be covered either by web casting, videography or micro observer. In the present Covid-19 scenario, the time required for counting of ballot papers will be less than that of EVMs. Exclusive counting halls with 14 tables for each ward are arranged, and the commission is expecting the first result by 3.00 pm on December 4.