Election officials scratch heads to find solution to Nizamabad polls

(Online Desk)

Last night the Election Commission officials scramble to hammer out a solution to the problem borne out from a record 185 members nomination papers passing through scrutiny for the Nizamabad parliament constituency.

On an average, in a EVM board 15 names can be accommodated.  Worse scenario, may by increasing the size to accommodate 20.  But how to accommodate 185 candidates names and buttons in single EVM or should make such Big Board EVM special made, instead half a dozen or dozen or more EVMs?

Perhaps, that’s the topic that the Election Commission of India’s representative Umesh Sinha, who had been entrusted with the task in discussions with their state representatives here, till late last night, if one has to believe news reports.

The ECI, which thought of exploring the possibility to defer the poll date, as it fast approaching, apparently sent Sinha to make last minute effort to find a solution.  According to ECI sources, M-3 type modern EVM may be required to resolve the issue.

What’s M3 EVM?

M3 Electronic Voting Machines are said to be third generation machines that are currently under production. They are equipped with ‘tamper proof’ mechanism of halting all operations upon being fiddled with.

M3 machines are set to be commissioned to replace the existing machines in a phased manner,

As these machines manufacturing, which was entrusted to the Electronic Corporation of India Limited (ECIL),, more or less unlikely to make them available for April 11 polls, it is reliably gathered.

In that backdrop, the postpone of election to Nizamabad, appears only alternative before the Election Commission.