State Govt Recommends SEC Hold Municipal Polls Using Ballot Papers
The elections are expected to be held in early February, covering 117 municipalities and six municipal corporations, excluding the GHMC and a few other corporations whose elected bodies are yet to complete their tenure.
Hyderabad: The state government has recommended to the Telangana Election Commission (TGSEC) that the upcoming municipal polls be conducted using ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines (EVMs), sources said on Monday.
The elections are expected to be held in early February, covering 117 municipalities and six municipal corporations, excluding the GHMC and a few other corporations whose elected bodies are yet to complete their tenure.
Municipal elections in Telangana were conducted using EVMs in 2014, while the 2020 civic polls were held through ballot papers owing to Covid-19-related health protocols. Although there are no such restrictions now, the government has once again expressed its preference for the ballot system.
The decision has assumed political significance in the backdrop of concerns raised by the Congress and AICC leaders over the reliability of EVMs, along with allegations of “vote theft” in recent Assembly elections in Haryana and Bihar, targeting the Election Commission of India and the BJP.
Following the government’s recommendation, district collectors and municipal commissioners in the concerned areas have been instructed to initiate preparatory measures for ballot-based polling. Officials have been asked to ensure the availability of ballot boxes and other election materials well in advance.
As per preliminary estimates, around 7,500 ballot boxes will be required across the state to conduct polling smoothly. Of these, over 5,200 boxes will be needed for municipalities, with additional reserve boxes, while the six municipal corporations will require more than 700 boxes along with backups.
Election officials have also placed advance orders with paper manufacturing companies and printing presses to ensure timely supply of ballot papers once the election schedule is announced.
Instructions have been issued to keep paper stock ready for immediate printing to avoid logistical delays. Procurement of related materials such as indelible ink, polling kits and stationery has also been initiated.