Shillong, Feb 15: Discontentment arises over the EC app ‘Suvidha’ with various political parties on Thursday coming under one voice stating that it is more of a headache then a balm.
The Election Commission has come up with new innovative softwares of Suvidha, Samadhan and Sugam and through these softwares, permissions to hold general meetings, permissions for using vehicles during election is being issued online and people can lodge their complaints and suggestions regarding code of conduct for elections.
” I have apprised the Chief Election Commissioner about the cumbersome system that they have put in place for application of permission for electioneering purposes wherein one has to log into the website “Suvida’ which is ironic as there is no suvidha,” said UDP general secretary Allantry F Dkhar soon after meeting the Election Commission team headed by the chief election commissioner Om Prakash Rawat who are in the city to take stock of the preparations for the February 27 Assembly polls.
Elaborating more Dkhar said, ” In the earlier elections I had informed them that we would apply to the returning officer and the returning officer will give us the relevant permission a copy which we have submitted to the police aswell as the local traditional headman, but in this election have to download the format for getting NOC’s from the police station aswell as the headman and then the returning officer for permission”.
“They have taken note and they have asked the chief electoral officer of the state to simplify the process,” he added.
Echoing similar sentiments, HSPDP General Secretary Dr Kara Shen, said, ” I talked about problems in certain constituencies as some of the village headman refuse to give permission on time and so we have problems with organizing meetings. There is a problem with the online permission as the connectivity is not good and we have missed two to three meetings because of that and so we have apprise the commission of these things”.
Meanwhile, NPP General Secretary in-charge Shillong City Dr Donwar said that other then the Suvidha issue, he raised issues relating to house burning, stone pelting and hate speeches.
“I have brought to their notice the issue of hate speech and stone pelting which they assured will be taken care of,” said Dr Donwar.
Stating that the EC meet with the political parties and took stock of the political atmosphere in the state, Chief Electoral Officer, (CEO) FR.Kharkongor informed that the EC will meet senior state government officials , Chief Secretary the DGP and also other financial authorities – the income tax and the excise, banks to see the influence of money in the elections.
“Tomorrow there will be a meeting with the senior state government officials , the Chief Secretary and the DGP plus meeting with the other financial authorities – the income tax and the excise, banks to see the influence of money,” Kharkongor said.
During the meeting, the EC reviewed the level of preparedness in the respective districts for the elections. District wise reports on election matters and its preparedness were briefed by all the District Election Officers, Superintendent of Police and Observers.
Other issues that were raised by the representatives of the political parties includes, hate speeches and campaigns, members of political parties resorting to tactics and creating situation or scenarios to blame opposition candidate and take mileage of it, VVPAT beside others.