MYSORE: State Election Commissioner C R Chikkamath said the Election Commission is contemplating introducing e-voting system for urban population to enhance the total percentage of voting. He, however, added that political will is essential for the successful implementation of this programme in the state.
He was speaking after launching Online MBA programme of Karnataka State Open University at Manasagangotri on Thursday.
Chikmath said, “e-voting was introduced in Gandhinagar Corporation elections in Gujarat recently, but the result was not expected. Now, the government wants to introduce it in other urban local bodies,” he said.
He said the percentage of urban voting is very low. Usually, 50 to 60 per cent voters are participating in the poll process in urban areas and sometimes it was only 45 per cent. Many professionals are finding it difficult to cast their votes for various reasons.
This is indirectly paving way for bogus voting and giving scope for malpractice in the present system. Hence, it is the right time to introduce e-voting,” the state election commissioner said.
"E-voting had not got the expected result in Gujarat. State Election Commission is planning to rectify the same and introduce e-voting in Karnataka,” Chikmath added, during his address.
“We have to convince the people about the proposal’s success,” he said.