Candidates' photos to figure on voting panels of EVMs

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: In order to facilitate the electorates in identifying their candidates during the time of polling, the voting panels of EVMs (Electronic Voting Machines) will be featuring also the photographs of candidates in each LAC (Legislative Assembly Constituency). The ECI (Election Commission of India) has already given the necessary directions to the State Election Department, Assam, in this regard.

Following the ECI directive, the election authorities at the district and sub-divisional levels will have to print the photographs of respective candidates on ballot papers and paste them on the EVMs (Ballot Unit). Mentionably, the 'Postal Ballot' papers will also feature the candidates' photographs.

The ECI stated that these measures have been undertaken to help avoid any confusion, which may arise when candidates with the same or similar names contest from the same constituency. For this purpose, the candidates are required to submit to the RO (Returning Officer), their recent stamp-size photograph as per the specifications laid down by the ECI.

Referring to these measures, sources in the State Election Department said that the EVM voting panels will indicate the list of candidates serially with their respective names and photographs, as well as the symbols of the respective political parties or of the Independent candidate.

The manual process of pasting the 'Ballot Paper' on the EVMs will start after finalization of the list of contesting candidates. This list for the first-phase polls will be finalized on March 12. The first-phase election is slated on March 27 across 47 LACs. The State has 126 LACs. The remaining two phases will be held on April 1 and April 6, 2021.

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