KOCHI: A real estate developer from Eloor is doing brisk business as every election comes and local body election is very particular for him as he gets busier in the season. P A Harris who makes model electronic voting machines with the support of Kudumbasree units in 14 houses in Eloor and Muppathadam areas is sought by candidates of all hues from across the state.
Since local body election is divided into grama, block and district panchayaths, the number of voting machines sought by the candidates goes up and Harris has till now sold 50,000 model voting machines in this local body election which he has branded Democrata Model Voting Machine. Different colour buttons are used for grama, block and district panchayats and Harris has made the machines accordingly.
The cost of one machine comes to Rs 250 but according to Harris his profit comes to Rs 10-15 per machine since labour cost and transportation and marketing cost come to a significant amount.
“The machine is a live one with battery, light and other parts. The name of the candidate and the symbols are pasted at the last moment when the candidates approach us for the purchase of the machine,” said Harris adding the cost of the machine varies according to the distance taken to transport the machine.
“It costs Rs 350 if it is taken to Kasargod,” he adds. A press in Maradu is used to complete the proceedings in the making of the model voting machine.
Harris was in demand in Aruvikkara bypoll as well where all the candidates sought his help for the voting machine. He starts work on the machine much ahead of the declaration of the dates and the scene gets busy once the dates are declared.
The work for the local body election is now over. However, he is set to have a busy schedule ahead as well with the State Assembly election in line next year.
