Deployment of EVMs for Nizamabad seat historic: CEO

Hyderabad: Chief Electoral Office Dr Rajat Kumar termed the large deployment of electronic voting machines to enable polling for the 185 candidates at the Parliamentary constituency of Nizamabad, a first in the history of Indian elections since the advent of the EVMs by the Election Commission of India.

The Chief Electoral Officer emphasized that the poll arrangements at Nizamabad were being carried out on war-footing and said that 27,185 EVMs, 3,530 control units and 3,651 VVPATs have been deployed across 1,788 polling stations in Nizamabad and Jagtial.

Dr Rajat Kumar also highlighted that the EVMs would be taken straight to the constituency for the first level of checking - at three in Nizamabad (with two to be added shortly) and five in Jagtial - instead of the strong-room. The first round of randomization will be conducted, in the presence of poll observers and representatives of political parties, on April 7.

The Chief Electoral Officer also dispelled rumours regarding the non-provision of poll symbols to several independent candidates and explained at great length the measures taken at all levels to make the symbols available for the candidates' choice.

Dr Rajat Kumar also displayed special posters, which would be placed at each polling station in Nizamabad, depicting the arrangement of the EVMS. He also announced that he would visit Nizamabad on Friday to inspect various poll arrangements and will hold meetings with recognized political parties, electoral and police officials.