Will Madhya Pradesh Rent 30,000 Control Units & 60,000 Ballot Units to Rajasthan for Local Body Elections?
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Jaipur, Feb 3 (NationPress) To ensure a smooth electoral process for the forthcoming local body elections, the Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission has agreed to rent out 30,000 control units and 60,000 ballot units to the Rajasthan State Election Commission.
A new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was formalized on Tuesday at the State Election Commission office within the Secretariat, thereby enhancing inter-state collaboration to facilitate elections that are fair, transparent, and efficient.
This MoU builds upon a previous agreement between the two State Election Commissions concerning the provision and utilization of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
According to State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh, the rented EVMs are intended for use in elections pertaining to municipal bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions throughout Rajasthan.
He emphasized that all protocols related to the supply, operation, maintenance, security, and return of the EVMs will be meticulously adhered to, following the guidelines set by the Election Commission of India.
The Rajasthan State Election Commission acknowledged the support from Madhya Pradesh, highlighting that such collaboration exemplifies the essence of cooperative federalism and reinforces the democratic process.
As per the MoU, the responsibilities encompassing transportation, storage, security, and operation of the EVMs during the election period will be fulfilled in accordance with established protocols.
First Level Checking (FLC), repairs, and technical assistance will be conducted by authorized engineers from Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad.
The agreement distinctly outlines the financial obligations regarding transportation, loading and unloading, security measures, and travel expenses of technical personnel, which will be accommodated according to established guidelines.
Additionally, the MoU details the procedures for the return of EVMs post-elections, post-poll testing, and compensation in the event of any damages.
The meeting included Madhya Pradesh State Election Commissioner Manoj Kumar Srivastava, Rajasthan SEC Secretary Rajesh Verma, along with other senior officials.