Terming the use of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT ) machines a big success in enhancing voters' verifiabilty, Election Commission Of India (ECI ) would provide VVPAT machines at all the polling stations in the Parliament elections 2019.Election Commissioner of India Sunil Arora informed that the use of VVPAT machines was highly successful during all held elections in past and keeping in view it's effectiveness the ECI is committed to provide 100 percent VVPAT machines at all the polling stations in 2019 parliament elections. Mr. Arora accompanied by ECI Director Mr. Nikhil Kumar and Chief Electoral Officer Punjab Dr. S. karuna Raju was here to held a meeting with District Election Officers and Returning Officers of Amritsar, Jalandhar, Tarntaran, Kapurthala, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and Pathankot districts to review the preparations for the coming parliament elections 2019.''India is known as the country with largest democratic set up in the world. All the authorities and officers related with election process would have to work with honest hearts for coming parliament elections 2019 considering these as litmus test. We are committed to maintain the glory of Indian democratic set up by conducting coming elections in fair manner alike elections in past', added Mr. Arora.
He asked the authorities and officers to be prepared for the Parliament elections 2019 and to make preparations well in time regarding aspects like availability of EVMs, staff trainings, transportation etc. He also emphasized on thorough training of staff for handling any situation with patience and handling it in line with the guidelines of ECI.He said the Punjab has a glorious history in terms of electoral infrastructure and administrative aspects.Talking about the issue of Paid News Mr. Arora said that ECI was taking all the necessary steps to curb this trend completely.He also said that ECI would keep a regular review on key aspects like registration of all the eligible youths as voters, voter registration of persons with special needs and for creating special facilities for them to cast their votes with ease, registration of NRI as voters.ECI Director Mr. Nikhil Kumar informed that 35percent more VVPAT machines than required would be provided for replacement in case of any requirement. He also directed the electoral authorities to make all the eligible youths aware to register themselves as voters for the sturdy future of democratic set up in the country.Chief Electoral Officer Punjab Dr. S. Karuna Raju assured that all the preparations would be completed well in time and all the necessary steps would be taken to motive the voters to use their franchise.