Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

‘Software error’ bane of EPIC centres

HYDERABAD: Work on the Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) has become a big joke here. For the umpteenth time, the GHMC has announced opening of 20 permanent centres in all of its 18 circle offices to issue them and also take up corrections on the spot from Monday.

Only 11 such centres were opened on Monday and pretty useless effort to put it mildly, because none can issue any fresh EPICs or take up corrections due to “software error.” Quite galling, considering the same excuse was being dished out for more than a year.

Whatever the Election Commission claims there appears to be no sense of urgency on delivering error-free EPICs to voters despite the latest announcement made in the presence of Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) I.V. Subba Rao.

If the CEO thinks that the centres were already functioning, he cannot be faulted since the GHMC has been making periodic announcements about opening the centres to enable eligible voters update their data base throughout the year.

“What is the hurry? After all they are permanent centres, everything will be in place in a few days,” said an official designated to oversee the work.

He did admit that the “software” was yet to be loaded while the “systems and personnel” were in place!

Another official was more forthcoming and accepted the “software error.” Original software prepared by CMC had faults and was supposed to have been rectified but apparently, problems continue. “Electoral database has serial number, name, father’s name, age and house number. It does not take much time to have a new code in place if the work is taken seriously,” explained an official.

The GHMC claims to have issued 37.6 lakh EPICs with 7.79 lakh more left. Mistakes of spelling, gender, photo, etc., among the issued EPICs get exposed during every election.

When 82.48 per cent of voters’ images are available as per the photo electoral rolls, it is a mystery why correct EPICs cannot be issued.

“We have no control over the field staff sourced from other departments. Booth wise verification with limited staff over fixed time frame is ideal,” said an official.

The main problem also is that officials are reluctant to head the election wing and the current incumbent, P. Venkatarami Reddy, like his predecessor, A. Dharma Reddy, hold dual posts – also being Deputy Commissioners of Serlingampally circle, an area of fast track development and hence, there is little time for election work.

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