Election Commission Consults Political Parties on Lok Sabha Polls; Lalan Singh Advocates 3-Phase Elections

Patna: With the Lok Sabha elections looming on the horizon, the Election Commission has initiated its preparations, with a team from the National Election Commission arriving in Patna for deliberations. Representatives from all 11 major political parties convened in the capital for a crucial meeting with the Election Commission, where a spectrum of suggestions and demands were put forth in anticipation of the upcoming electoral exercise.

Following extensive consultations with political stakeholders, the Election Commission is poised to announce its decisions regarding the conduct of the Lok Sabha elections at a press conference scheduled for Wednesday.

One of the key proposals voiced during the meeting came from the Janata Dal United (JDU) representative MP Lalan Singh, advocating for the elections to be conducted in three phases to mitigate the challenges posed by the impending summer season. Singh emphasized the logistical difficulties faced by candidates and party leaders during campaigning, underscoring the need for strategic planning to ensure the integrity and efficiency of the electoral process.

In a departure from previous practices, the Congress delegation, led by Brajesh Prasad Munna, urged for the adoption of ballot papers instead of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the upcoming elections. Munna cited concerns regarding the accuracy and transparency of the electoral process, advocating for a comprehensive mechanism that includes the counting of both ballot papers and EVM slips to validate the election results.

Echoing similar sentiments, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) delegation, comprising party officials Vrishan Patel, Chittaranjan Gagan, and Mukund Singh, submitted a detailed memorandum to the Chief Election Commissioner, reiterating their demand for ballot paper-based elections. The RJD emphasized the importance of enhancing voter confidence and participation, proposing measures such as the display of ballot slips to voters and the inclusion of representatives from all political parties in mock voting exercises.

Additionally, the Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party (RLSP) delegation, led by Chandan Singh, underscored the necessity of bolstering security arrangements to safeguard vulnerable segments of the electorate, including the elderly and disabled. The RLSP called for the deployment of central forces at sensitive polling booths to mitigate instances of voter intimidation and ensure the unhindered exercise of democratic rights.