The Electronic Voting Machines will be deployed in 50 wards in the capital city Citizens can make use of the facility to choose their favourite location for Smart City projects The government is considering three options, retrofitting, redevelopment and green development for the pan-city project
Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) are known to be used in polls to cast your vote. But the Kerala Government has now found a novel use for the device. It will be used for something other than elections, to know the opinion of people on the location of the smart city project.
State Election Commission has given the approval to use the machine to seek the view of individuals about the area where the project should be implemented. It will be tested in Thiruvananthapuram on February 11 and citizens can choose from the seven places shortlisted for the upcoming project.
The seven locations were fixed by a deliberation involving councillors, technical committee and the Smart Cities Challenge consultant IDeCK. Of the seven geographical areas listed in the machine, one can choose his most preferred destination.
The area will be selected from among the top three preferences given by persons, after considering the most feasible location for the projects and how much it will benefit the city. On fixing the site, deliberations will be held on the strategy to be used for implementing the project. The government is considering three options, retrofitting, redevelopment and green development.
Public opinion will also be considered to select the pan-city project. People will get an option to rank various issues like safety and security, waste management, sanitation and sewerage, water and water quality, mobility, transportation, housing and inclusiveness.
However, EVMs will be used for seeking public opinion on the area for the project. Social media including Whatsapp and Facebook, online and SMS voting and mobile app will be used to get the opinion of public on top three choices for the pan-city project.
The government is planning to complete the whole process in a single day and publish results on the next day.
State Election Commission will provide 50 machines and 50 trained officials from the corporation for the process. In the first phase, the facility will be arranged in 50 wards in the capital city and in other 50 wards during the second phase.
The exercise is also considered to be economical as it is estimated to cost only ₹one lakh.
