Before people’s test, the tech challenge.

Political parties in some south Bengal districts are looking for tech-savvy youths to seek the Election Commission’s clearance for rallies and book venues online.

The process is being carried out through an Election Commission digital platform, Suvidha, between five and three days before the event on a first come-first served basis. The applications will be sent to the district magistrates.

This has led to a requirement for persons who can send online applications fast because of an expected scramble for venues and events among parties. The poll panel has mandated that only one or two persons of a party from an Assembly segment will be allowed to handle the online booking system.

“We have come to know about the new online system and we are looking for tech-savvy youths. After all, we have to be the first to book the venues,” Uttam Mukherjee, working president of Trinamul in West Burdwan, said.

According to Gautam Ghosh, a CPM state committee member in Birbhum, the test lies in speed. “We have to book a venue before others get it. We are getting tech-savvy persons in the towns easily. But it is tough to find such persons in rural areas. So we are contacting our young party workers who are good with technology,” Ghosh said.

In Purulia, Vidyasagar Chakraborty, the district BJP president, indicated that talent had been found in-house. “We have a group of party workers from our IT cell for the job.”