[Reader-list] MNIC: Parliament Questions - 18

[Taha Mehmood]

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF  	LAW , JUSTICE AND COMPANY AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
STARRED 	 QUESTION NO  	166
ANSWERED ON   	08.03.2001
USE OF ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINE AND PHOTO IDENTITY CARDS
166 .	Shri HARIBHAU MAHALE
	


(a) whether the Election Commission has taken a decision to get the
polling done through electronic voting machines and to make the use of
identity cards mandatory;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Election Commission has completed the work of issuing
identity card to every eligible citizen of the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER

MINISTER OF LAW, JUSTICE & COMPANY AFFAIRS AND SHIPPING (SHRI ARUN JAITLEY)

(a)&(b) The Election Commission has informed that it has decided to
use the Electronic Voting Machines as widely as possible. The use of
these machines would, however, depend upon the local conditions and
availability of stock. The question of making use of these machines
compulsory at elections, therefore, does not arise at the present
moment. So far as the question of making the use of photo identity
cards mandatory for voters at elections is concerned, it may be stated
that it is not possible to take such a measure in view of the fact
that only 63.39% of voters have so far been issued these cards taking
on all India average. In some States/Union territories, more than 70%
voters have been issued photo identity cards.

(c)&(d) The registration of electors and the scheme of issuing photo
identity cards to electors are continuous and ongoing processes. It
is, therefore, not possible to cover all the electors under the scheme
at any given point of time. A statement containing status report on
progress of the scheme is laid on the Table of the House.