Kerala State Election Commission to discuss collecting ideas via voting machines
Thiruvananthapuram: Electronic voting machines could just be used for an opinion poll to finalise the ‘Smart Cities Challenge’ proposal. If the idea comes true, this would be the first time in the country that EVMs are used for something other than elections. The use of EVMs was one of the many means suggested for gathering public opinion on the proposal. There will be a meeting with State Election Commission to discuss the practicality of the idea.
The EVMs will help the corporation to reach out to those who are not tech-savvy, according to mayor V K Prashanth. “Also, we will get an edge, as the idea has never been used by other corporations. It is possible to make it happen if the Election Commission would agree to provide EVMs. The corporation should be able to bear the cost,” he said. In the ‘Smart Cities Challenge’, it is important that at least 10% of the population – around 1 lakh people – respond. The opinion will be gathered through all possible means – SMS, online voting and mobile app.
Public opinion will be garnered, after a meeting of councillors on Monday. In the meeting, the public representatives will narrow down seven proposals from the list made by smart cities consultant Infrastructure Develop-ment Corporation (Karnataka) Limited (IDeCK). The poll will be used to choose three proposals from the seven. The consultant would then advise on the feasibility of one of the proposals.
The following are some of the proposals which are under consideration:
(1)Developing Akku-lam into a recreational area to be used by city residents.
(2) Guided development in Vizhinjam.
(3) Developing housing facilities and commercial establishments on the land available in and around Technop-ark, from Kazhakkoot-tam to Sreekaryam.
(4) Implementing the transportation and heritage projects in Central Business District, to touch areas like East Fort, Chalai, Thampan-oor and Chengalchoola.
(5) Combining the historical waterway project to revive Thiruvananthapuram-Shoranur canal and the roadway project along Kazhakkoottam-Kovalam bypass.
