Make arrangements for voting by EVM in Nizamabad: EC

The Election Commission of India on Sunday issued instructions to the Telangana chief electoral officer (CEO) to make arrangements for the conduct of elections to Nizamabad Parliamentary constituency using electronic voting machines (EVMs).

As many as 185 contestants are in the fray in Nizamabad, including Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha.

As EVMs can accommodate only 16 names, the CEO sought guidance from the EC on how to go about conducting polls. The CEO indicated that the only option is to use ballot paper.

However, the EC turned down the request of several national and regional parties recently to replace the EVMs with ballot papers. Parties have been contending that the EVMs are vulnerable to manipulations.

The commission has directed the Electronics Corporation of India Limited for immediate supply of 26,820 ballot units (BUs), 2,240 control units (CUs) and 2,600 VVPATs of M3 make to the Telangana CEO.

Over 175 farmers filed nominations as a mark of protest against the failure of state and central governments in keeping their promise to set up Turmeric Board and give them a remunerative price for their produce.