GHMC prepares ground to hold polls via paper ballots

Final decision to be taken in October on method of voting for civic polls

Voting for the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections will mostly likely be held on paper ballots in view of the Covid-19 spread. Civic body commissioner D.S. Lokesh Kumar has asked GHMC union members to vacate 14 rooms that they occupy in the corporation headquarters to accommodate ballot boxes.

The State Election Commission (SEC) had at a review meeting held last week asked GHMC officials whether elections should be held with EVMs or ballot boxes in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. It appears from Monday’s development that the GHMC may be moving towards paper voting.

GHMC sources said the Lokesh Kumar interacted with municipal unions including those affiliated to the BJP and the TRS. They said that Kumar directed additional commissioner N. Yadigiri Rao to serve official notice to vacate union offices within a week to start the polls arrangements.

This newspaper tried to reach the GHMC commissioner but he was not available.

A final decision will, however, be taken in the second week of October when officials of the SEC and GHMC meet.

Meanwhile, the SEC has instructed the GHMC to follow Covid-19 precautionary guidelines during the election on par with those issued by the Election Commission of India for the Bihar polls.

The SEC has decided to limit the voter strength at each polling station to 800 in the context of Covid-19 to maintain physical distancing. The commission had directed officials to train GHMC officials on using software applications for preparation and publication of electoral roll.

● THE STATE ELECTION Commission (SEC) had at a review meeting held last week asked GHMC officials whether elections should be held with EVMs or ballot boxes in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.