The Election Commission, in its submissions to the Kovind committee on ‘one nation one election‘, mentioned conducting simultaneous polls throughout the nation in 2029 would require Rs 7,951 crore, stories Bharti Jain. It sought a “particular lead time” earlier than polls are synchronised as logistical necessities would go up enormously – from electoral rolls to EVMs and motion of safety personnel.
EC’s inputs despatched to the Legislation Fee in March 2023 – iterated in its Jan 19, 2024 letter to the Kovind panel – mentioned the variety of polling stations throughout the nation must go as much as 13.6 lakh in 2029.It estimated a shortfall of 26.5 lakh poll items, 17.8 lakh management items and 17.8 lakh VVPATs.
Logistical challenges loom as govt pushes for ONOP
New Delhi: Other than the problem of getting the numbers to push by way of constitutional amendments for ‘One Nation One Election’, the govt. additionally has to deal with a number of logistical points, together with regularisation of electoral rolls for panchayat polls.
From electoral rolls to digital voting machines and motion of personnel, the logistical necessities are huge, sources mentioned. In its submissions to the Kovind committee, Election Fee had sought a “particular lead time”, whereas projecting funds requirement for the train in 2029 at Rs 7,951 crore.
Whereas electoral rolls for meeting and Lok Sabha polls are streamlined and a rigorous course of is adopted in making ready them, the method for native physique polls have to be streamlined, govt officers mentioned, days after the Union cupboard accepted the suggestions of the committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind on holding simultaneous elections.
As per EC’s inputs despatched to the Legislation Fee in March 2023 – which it had reiterated in its letter dated Jan 19, 2024, to the Kovind committee – the variety of polling stations throughout the nation must be elevated to round 13.6 lakh in 2029, requiring the deployment of 53.8 lakh poll items (BUs), 38.7 lakh management items (CUs) and 41.6 lakh voter-verifiable paper audit path (VVPATs).
EC acknowledged that whereas 30.8 lakh BUs, 22.1 lakh CUs and 23.8 lakh could be out there for synchronised polls within the 2029 basic election cycle, 3.6 lakh BUs and 1.25 lakh CUs would have accomplished their life and would have to be phased out. It had projected a shortfall of 26.5 lakh BUs, 17.8 lakh CUs and 17.8 lakh VVPATs.
Given disruptions within the provide chain for semiconductors, the ballot panel had highlighted this as a priority, and had referred to as for ramping up the tempo and capability of manufacturing.
Additionally stating that EVM fashions have been recurrently upgraded by the technical skilled committee, with three fashions being developed previously 20 years, the fee mentioned it could be a chance that the subsequent technology EVM could also be launched within the interim, posing a problem as “your entire magnitude of EVMs/VVPATs for simultaneous elections should be manufactured afresh”.
EC had additionally projected a serious rise in manpower requirement within the occasion of simultaneous polls, saying that extra polling personnel together with the presiding officer will likely be wanted at every polling station. It mentioned further employees could be required for first-level checks, transportation, safety, storage and wider regulation and order necessities.
Predicting a 50% rise in deployment of central forces within the occasion of synchronised polls, EC had mentioned over 4.7 lakh personnel could be required if they’re carried out in 2019. Although EC didn’t predict the requirement for the 2029 simultaneous polls, working with the identical 50% rise, it might be virtually 7 lakh safety personnel. EC additionally mentioned a further 800 warehouses could be required for EVM/VVPAT storage.
EC’s inputs despatched to the Legislation Fee in March 2023 – iterated in its Jan 19, 2024 letter to the Kovind panel – mentioned the variety of polling stations throughout the nation must go as much as 13.6 lakh in 2029.It estimated a shortfall of 26.5 lakh poll items, 17.8 lakh management items and 17.8 lakh VVPATs.
Logistical challenges loom as govt pushes for ONOP
New Delhi: Other than the problem of getting the numbers to push by way of constitutional amendments for ‘One Nation One Election’, the govt. additionally has to deal with a number of logistical points, together with regularisation of electoral rolls for panchayat polls.
From electoral rolls to digital voting machines and motion of personnel, the logistical necessities are huge, sources mentioned. In its submissions to the Kovind committee, Election Fee had sought a “particular lead time”, whereas projecting funds requirement for the train in 2029 at Rs 7,951 crore.
Whereas electoral rolls for meeting and Lok Sabha polls are streamlined and a rigorous course of is adopted in making ready them, the method for native physique polls have to be streamlined, govt officers mentioned, days after the Union cupboard accepted the suggestions of the committee led by former President Ram Nath Kovind on holding simultaneous elections.
As per EC’s inputs despatched to the Legislation Fee in March 2023 – which it had reiterated in its letter dated Jan 19, 2024, to the Kovind committee – the variety of polling stations throughout the nation must be elevated to round 13.6 lakh in 2029, requiring the deployment of 53.8 lakh poll items (BUs), 38.7 lakh management items (CUs) and 41.6 lakh voter-verifiable paper audit path (VVPATs).
EC acknowledged that whereas 30.8 lakh BUs, 22.1 lakh CUs and 23.8 lakh could be out there for synchronised polls within the 2029 basic election cycle, 3.6 lakh BUs and 1.25 lakh CUs would have accomplished their life and would have to be phased out. It had projected a shortfall of 26.5 lakh BUs, 17.8 lakh CUs and 17.8 lakh VVPATs.
Given disruptions within the provide chain for semiconductors, the ballot panel had highlighted this as a priority, and had referred to as for ramping up the tempo and capability of manufacturing.
Additionally stating that EVM fashions have been recurrently upgraded by the technical skilled committee, with three fashions being developed previously 20 years, the fee mentioned it could be a chance that the subsequent technology EVM could also be launched within the interim, posing a problem as “your entire magnitude of EVMs/VVPATs for simultaneous elections should be manufactured afresh”.
EC had additionally projected a serious rise in manpower requirement within the occasion of simultaneous polls, saying that extra polling personnel together with the presiding officer will likely be wanted at every polling station. It mentioned further employees could be required for first-level checks, transportation, safety, storage and wider regulation and order necessities.
Predicting a 50% rise in deployment of central forces within the occasion of synchronised polls, EC had mentioned over 4.7 lakh personnel could be required if they’re carried out in 2019. Although EC didn’t predict the requirement for the 2029 simultaneous polls, working with the identical 50% rise, it might be virtually 7 lakh safety personnel. EC additionally mentioned a further 800 warehouses could be required for EVM/VVPAT storage.
