As part of a pilot project, electronic voting machines (EVMs) will be used in the gram panchayat elections in Bidar district.
Two types of EVMs will be used for the elections. The classic models that ask voters to elect only one member will be used in gram panchayats. An upgraded model will be used for bigger gram panchayats where voters will have to choose more than one member.
In case a voter in a gram panchayat that has multiple members decides to vote only for one member, then he has to cast his vote and press the ‘End’ button at the bottom. “It is slightly different from the one used for Assembly or Parliament elections,” says P.C. Jaffer, Deputy Commissioner. “We will train the presiding officers and other staff on poll duty in how to give instructions to voters about using the two different types of EVMs. In case of multiple-member gram panchayats, they will ensure that voters understand the procedure and complete polling without difficulties,” he said.
The Karnataka State Election Commission has directed us to use the EVMs. If found successful, their use may be extended to the whole state, he added. The district administration is making preparations for the gram panchayat elections that are expected to be announced any time this month.
Hyderabad based Electronic Corporation of India Limited has manufactured the machines required for the gram panchayat polls.
Kerala, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have used EVMs for gram panchayat elections, according to officials on poll duty.
Two types of machines
will be used for
the elections
