The paper slips of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) system will be counted and tallied with the number of votes in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in one booth in each constituency in the upcoming Gujarat Assembly elections, Chief Election Commissioner AK Joti said.

"The Commission has decided to count VVPAT slips of one polling station, selected at random, in each Assembly constituency, on pilot basis," Joti told reporters before concluding a two-day visit to the state to review preparations for the elections.

Joti, a former chief secretary of the state, also said that if a candidate has any substantive reason about the result of a particular EVM of a polling station, he or she can request the Returning Officer for counting of VVPAT slips.

The CEC, who met political parties, DEOs, CPs, SPs, chief secretary, DGP and senior government officials over the course of the two days, said that they are very satisfied with the election preparations. He, however, added that expectations of political parties and voters are very high.

The CEC said that the Commission has taken note of concerns regarding law and order, abuse of money, electoral rolls, and other issues raised by political parties.

"The Commission is committed to maintain purity of elections and to deliver free, fair and transparent elections," he said.

Joti also said that a special drive has been launched between October 9 and 25 for distribution of EPIC cards to newly registered voters, adding new voters, and collecting names of absentees, shifted and dead voters. He, however, clarified that no deletion will take place from electoral rolls.

The CEC also said that a mobile app based complaint system regarding abuse of money will be activated in each district, which will enable people to file complaints with authorities.

The Commission also directed DEOs to constitute election expenditure monitoring teams, to deploy adequate number of flying squads and surveillance teams, to monitor movement of money through banking channels, and to deploy intelligence units of IT authorities at airports and railway stations, to curb misuse of money power.

The CEC also said that the assembly elections will be held in December.

"The term of the assembly will end on January 22, and it is clear that the elections will be held in December," Joti said, adding that the Commission will consider the suggestion received by political parties regarding avoiding holding the elections during marriage season.

FOR LAW & ORDER

The CEC said that the Commission has taken note of concerns regarding law and order, abuse of money, electoral rolls, and other issues raised by political parties.