There was no move to advance elections to the assembly in Kerala which would be held in the mid-May next year, Chief Election Commissioner S Y Quraishi said on Tuesday.
Addressing media-persons, Quraishi said he and ElectionCommissioner V S Sampath held initial discussions with the Chief Electoral Officer, Chief Secretary, DGP and district collectors on the preparations for the conduct of next year's elections.
They reviewed the position of distribution of photo identity cards and voter turnout. "There is a general apathy among urban voters across the country towards elections and innovative techniques will be used to educate them," Quraishi said, adding that the apathy was more pronounced in cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad.
The CEC and EC held discussions with state officials on the efficacy of the communication systems to be used in the elections. There were some shadow areas on this front which would be sorted out with the help of BSNL and other operators, Quraishi said. He said the Election Commission was satisfied with the arrangements in Kerala and the state had virtually done everything needed for conducting election.
To a question on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), Sampath said the EVMs used in the country was one of the safest machines. "They are not merely electronic devices, but has all precautions as in the ballot box. There is no need for misgivings about the safety of EVMs," he said.
Earlier, Quraishi and Sampath inaugurated the newly designed website of the State Election Commission and its new call centre service.
