In the Upcoming Elections, Ballot Boxes Will be Distributed by Scanning QR Code: Anil Khachi

Dharamshala, 12 March: Anil Khachi, State Election Commissioner, issued new guidelines in order to facilitate the smooth conduct of upcoming general elections for the Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Bodies which are expected to be held in the year 2025-26. Addressing a one-day workshop for election officials on Tuesday, Khachi listed the preparations being undertaken by the Election Commission.

To ease election management, Khachi also announced that the Commission has developed a new application — called Inventory Management. End to end QR code scanner process which will facilitate the distribution of ballot boxes and other election materials to polling parties. This will allow each ballot box to be tracked with a unique identity, subsequently redirecting it to the addressing center to be rectified, ensuring no discrepancies.

Khachi admitted that there are a few ballot boxes which were damaged, saying that they have moved to the next step after the repair work is done where the ballot boxes will be painted, oiled, and greased. He ordered district authorities to start with cleaning up election storage areas and destroying old election records under the rules.

The Commissioner also provided guidelines for smooth conduction of key activities, including ward demarcation, updating of voter list and reservation particulars These measures should be disseminated as widely as possible to educate the public. Awareness of these programs will be spread through notice boards, hoardings and banners and loudspeakers.

Khachi also stated that the reorganization of Panchayati Raj Institutions and determination and reservation of wards can be completed by June 30. He also suggested establishing control rooms at all district and development block headquarters in the elections, so that any election-related issues can be resolved.

Khachi also said that to be eligible to vote in local body elections, the voters need to be registered with State Election Commission (SEC) and not with Election Commission of India (ECI). He asked citizens to check the published draft voter lists.

District and election officials including Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa and Election Officer Sanjeev Kumar Mahajan attended the workshop.