Kathmandu, Feb. 9
The Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) has
started the feasibility study for the use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs)
in the upcoming local level elections slated for 13 May 2022.
The commission is for the use of EVM to
reduce the cost and complexity in the polls, said Chief Election Commissioner,
Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya.
It will use the machines developed by youth
scientists Ram and Laxman after assessing the accuracy and authenticity of the
machine. According to Thapaliya, if the economic resources allowed and voters
could be made ready to use the machine, the ECN is planning to use EVMs in six
metropolitan cities and municipalities in the Kathmandu Valley in the upcoming
local elections.
A committee is formed under the leadership
of Anil Kumar Dutta, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and
Information Technology, to study the prospects of EVM at least at the cities. A
meeting of the commission on Wednesday decided to form the committee, said
Shaligram Sharma Poudel, Spokesperson of the ECN.
The committee has the representations of
the Department of Industry, Nepal Bureau of Standard and Metrology and other
concerned agencies. It has the mandate to study the issues like the availability
and authenticity of EVMs and submit report within seven days. The ECN will use
the EVMs as per the recommendations of the committee with the consensus among
the political parties participating in the polls.
Meanwhile, to reduce number of vote cancellation,
the ECN is planning to launch digital communication campaign. Notices and
reminders would be sent to the mobile numbers of voters on the day of polls
while social media and online media will be used extensively.
"We are mulling a new concept on
voters' awareness, to educate them at the polling station before casting their
votes by establishing a help desk and mobilizing two educators at each station.
Such education will be conducted in local language, if needed. It is cost-effective
and will have full coverage," said Thapaliya.
The ECN conducted a 'demo voting' in an EVM
at its office on Wednesday.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 10 February 2022.
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