Rajkot, DeshGujarat

Senior leader and former Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel is angry.

He is angry against the State Election Commission(SEC) for its failure in implementing e-voting system effectively.

Keshubhai is registered as voter in Rajkot. He lives in Gandhinagar. He wanted to cast his vote online sitting at his home in Gandhinagar and therefore he had applied for e-voting, however just 48 hours before polling, like thousands of others who had applied for e-voting, Keshubhai was told that he would not be able to cast his vote online. Due to this Keshubhai had to travel to Rajkot to cast his vote.

Keshubhai said, “I have to come to Rajkot to cast my vote. I wanted to cast my vote online as per the rules. A week ago I visited Rajkot and told Deputy Collector about my wish to cast my vote online from Gandhinagar. He extended help and sent persons to my place. My finger print and signature were taken, and form was filled 8 days ago. Later the remaining procedures were to be completed by the state election commission in their office. A day before yesterday I was communicated that I would not be able to cast my vote online. Who is responsible for this? I had completed all the procedure. They were talking big, I was not in capacity to come to vote here in Rajkot. I criticize them. I have conveyed my displeasure to SEC chief. If it was not possible, they could convey me earlier. I could then arrange my programme accordingly. I told SEC chief that this was wrong. I can’t react to other complains coming from section of voters without going into details, but I am Patidar too, and I am speaking about my experience.”

It should be mentioned that over 20,000 voters had registered for e-voting in six municipal corporations, but day before yesterday, the State Election Commission declared that only 1300 odd would be able to cast their vote online due to lack of physical verification of others. Not just voters but even Congress party has criticized SEC for lack of proper execution of e-voting system.

– DeshGujarat