Captured by : VVPAT demonstration, SVEEP campaign in full swing in Bardez_1
MAPUSA
For the past one week, officials on election duty have taken various steps to conduct awareness campaign on Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP).
Number of demonstrations of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and the newly introduced Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) has also been held at different places in Bardez.
A VVPAT demonstration centre has been set up on the ground floor in the government complex, Mapusa for voters of Bardez to check the voter list and also to witness the functioning of the newly introduced paper trail system.
There are seven constituencies in Bardez. An electoral official said that the VVPAT machine, which will be kept in the polling stations, was essentially a printing device.
“This is being introduced in the polling station for the first time in Goa. The machines will print out the choice made by the voters. However, the print will remain inside the machine which is secured and will be preserved,” said Sheru Shirodkar, ERO for Calangute and added that the print on the thermal paper will last up to five years.
According to the official the whole console, ie, EVM and VVPAT will be visible only to the voter.
“Voters will be prevented from taking their mobile phones into the polling stations. If any voter takes a photo of the choice made, he can be prosecuted under the Representation of People Act,” she added.
She further said if there is any discrepancy in the display on the VVPAT machine and the choice made by the voter, he or she can complain to the presiding officer at the polling station, who will look into the veracity of the complaint.
“A demo test vote can be made to check the machine, which will not be counted,” Shirodkar said.
She said that during counting of votes, if an agent or a candidate has a complaint, he can give it in writing to the Returning Officer who will look into the request and verify the votes polled, along with the printed slips.
Election officials attached in all the seven constituencies conducted VVPAT demonstrations at various locations and panchayat areas.
The SVEEP awareness activities involved street plays, motorcycle rally, slogan campaign, painting competition, signature campaign and other poll-related campaigns.
