Thiruvananthapuram: Latest EVMs for bypoll

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: All arrangements are in place for the bypolls to five Assembly constituencies to be held on October 21.

At a press conference here Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena said the electoral rolls with base date January 1, 2019 prepared for Lok Sabha polls in January would be considered as final voters list. However, many applications have been received since January 2019 for inclusion in voters list.

All the applications received 10 days before the last date of nominations will examined and if found correct, will be added as supplementary list, he added.

Mr Meena said the assistant returning officers for the five constituencies have been appointed; Manjeshwaram: N. Premachandran deputy collector, Ernakulam: Shahjahan deputy collector, Aroor: B.S. Praveen Das, joint registrar of cooperative societies, Konni: M.B. Girish deputy collector and Vattiyoorkavu: G.O.T. Manoj, assistant commissioner, disaster management.

The CEO said the latest M 3 model EVMs would be used for the bypolls. Last time during lok sabha elections old model M2 EVMs were used and there were slight problems and technical glitches. A total of 1,810 EVMs , VVPATS and Control Units have been allotted for the conduct of polls.

He said the government department heads had been directed not to send files unnecessarily to CEO’s office. The schemes, programmes which are ongoing will continue. But fresh policy decisions, programmes, transfers and postings will not be allowed.

All flood related rehabilitation and relief programmes will continue without any hindrance.  No fresh release of funds would be allowed under MPLAD in the constituencies going to elections. However, ongoing works can continue.