MP NEWS : After the use of EVMs in Panchayat and Urban Body elections, the concept of a paperless booth is now taking shape. By-elections in Panchayats have already been successfully conducted using paperless booths. Madhya Pradesh State Election Commissioner Shri Manoj Shrivastava shared this insight during the 31st National Conference of the State Election Commission, held in Pench, Seoni district.
Shri Shrivastava emphasized that Panchayat and Urban Body elections serve as a testing ground for democratic innovations. Historically, key electoral reforms have been introduced first at the local level before being implemented nationally. For instance, the idea of women’s reservation in representative institutions was first applied in panchayats and urban bodies, with Madhya Pradesh pioneering 33% and later 50% reservation for women. Despite such progressive steps in grassroots democracy, similar acceptance at higher levels remains limited.
Highlighting the significance of local elections, Shri Shrivastava stated that the three-tier Panchayat and Urban Body elections form the foundation of democracy. Ensuring free and fair elections is a collective responsibility, as these elections allow citizens to directly participate in governance and decision-making. Discussing online voting, he mentioned Estonia’s pioneering experiment in digital elections and stressed the need for India to adapt to technological advancements to maintain the credibility of the electoral process.
EVM Sharing for Cost Efficiency
Shri Shrivastava suggested that states should share EVMs to minimize election expenses. He noted that the conference provides a platform for State Election Commissioners to exchange innovative practices from their respective states, which can then be implemented elsewhere. Assam State Election Commissioner Shri Alok Kumar presided over the conference, during which the book Ex-Change@Ex-Perience Initiative-2025, compiling election-related innovations from different states, was released.
Adoption of Paperless Booths and Digital Election Management
Madhya Pradesh State Election Commission Secretary Shri Abhishek Singh presented a plan for adopting a paperless booth system and an integrated polling booth management system in local elections. He explained that digitizing election documentation would simplify processes, reduce human error, and lower election expenses by decreasing staff requirements.
Smt. Neelam Sahni, Commissioner of the Andhra Pradesh Election Commission, gave a presentation on the automation of local body elections. She discussed the digital management of electoral rolls and polling, addressing challenges and potential improvements in the system. Various State Election Commissioners contributed suggestions to enhance election processes further.
Additionally, Lakhnadon SDM Shri Ravi Sihag and Assistant Collector Shri Pankaj Verma presented insights on “Global Best Practices” and the adoption of advanced technologies for smoother elections. The Tripura State Election Commission screened a documentary showcasing local election processes.
Seoni Collector Sushri Sanskriti Jain expressed gratitude at the conclusion of the first session. The conference will continue on March 3 and 4, featuring subject experts delivering presentations on various electoral topics.