Telangana CEO outlines key electoral reforms for upcoming by-elections

Hyderabad: Telangana Chief Electoral Officer Sudarshan Reddy met with leaders of political parties in the state after the election notification and stressed the importance of voter convenience, efficiency, and cooperation from the parties.

The upcoming by-elections will be conducted under the new electoral reforms introduced by Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

He noted that these reforms are being implemented for the first time in the Bihar Assembly elections and the concurrent by-elections in eight Assembly constituencies across the country.

Key electoral reforms to be implemented

· Voter limit per polling station: Arrangements to ensure a maximum of 1,200 voters per polling station.

· Colour photos on EVMs: Placing colour photographs of candidates on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) to help voters easily identify their choices.

· Increased women staff: Deployment of additional women staff to boost the participation of women voters.

· Facilities for elderly and disabled: Provision of amenities like wheelchairs, ramps, and pick-up/drop-off facilities for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

· Digital monitoring: Utilization of digital dashboards and mobile apps for real-time monitoring of voter turnout.

· AI-based surveillance: Implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based monitoring and GPS tracking in sensitive polling stations.

· Strict MCC enforcement: Taking stringent action against Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violations, supported by technology-based monitoring.

· Eco-friendly elections: Promoting paperless communication and reducing paper usage to conduct environmentally friendly elections.

Compliance and cooperation

Reddy also reviewed arrangements with the concerned departments to ensure the elections are held in a free, fair, and peaceful manner. He urged all political parties to strictly adhere to the electoral code of conduct and cooperate fully to maintain the transparency of the electoral process.